Philippine College of Surgeons
Cancer Commission Foundation
Championing Integrated Quality Cancer Care
Embedded Files
Philippine College of Surgeons Cancer Commission Foundation (PCS CANCOM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Filipinos on their cancer journeys and fostering a path toward better quality of life and survivorship. Since 2019, we have been bridging gaps in cancer care across the Philippines through training, partnerships, research, and patient empowerment.
We are an active partner in implementing the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA Law, RA 11215), helping ensure that every Filipino has access to equitable, person-centered, and quality cancer care.
The Challenge We Face
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines. Yet access to timely diagnosis, quality treatment, and coordinated support remains uneven.
We believe every Filipino deserves equitable, person-centered, and quality cancer care.
How We Make a Difference
We focus on solutions that change lives:
Capacity Building – Training health professionals and institutions nationwide.
Patient & Community Empowerment – Creating resources for families and frontline health workers.
Research & Innovation – Generating local evidence to shape better cancer policies.
Partnerships & Advocacy – Building a united movement for stronger cancer care systems.
Catherine SC Teh, MD
Chairperson
Message from the Chairperson
Cancer care in the Philippines cannot be defined by isolated moments of clinical intervention alone — it is a continuum of human experience marked by hope, struggle, partnership, and relentless pursuit of better outcomes for every Filipino. This truth has guided me long before formal roles, laws, or titles — from grassroots advocacy to shaping system-wide solutions that touch lives across our nation.
The Philippine College of Surgeons Cancer Commission Foundation stands for a profound conviction: that every Filipino — regardless of income, geography, or circumstance — deserves equitable, person-centered, high-quality cancer care. Our Vision to build a stronger Philippines with improved survivorship and outcomes, and our Mission to advance quality cancer care through integrated multisectoral, multidisciplinary, and multistakeholder action, are more than statements — they are commitments we relentlessly fulfill through programs, partnerships, and policies.
From capacity building and strengthening tumor boards nationwide, to patient and community empowerment, research and innovation, and strategic advocacy, PCS CanCom brings practical solutions to real challenges. Our work is grounded in collaboration — across clinical disciplines, public health leadership, government, industry, academe, and community partners — because no single sector can solve the cancer burden alone.
Sustainability for us means looking beyond today. It means forging enduring partnerships with all sectors — from government agencies like the Department of Health and academic institutions, to industry allies, civil society, and enterprises — to ensure that cancer care is built on systems that endure, improve, and expand with time. These partnerships allow us to invest not just in treatment, but in prevention, early detection, coordinated care pathways, policy implementation, data-driven decision making, and community resilience — from barangays to national platforms.
Aligned with the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) and national priorities, PCS CanCom remains a steadfast partner in bridging policy with practice, translating evidence into action, and catalyzing innovations that elevate care standards. Our annual initiatives — including the Philippine National Cancer Summit and multidisciplinary workshops — are expressions of this mission, fostering shared learning, co-creation, and unified commitment across stakeholders.
This Commission is about stewardship, courage to act collaboratively, and dedication to outcomes that matter most: lives saved, families supported, communities empowered, and systems sustained. We do this with humility, integrity, and vision — believing that what we build together will outlast any single term or mandate.
We invite you to walk with us — as partners, as advocates, and as co-creators of a future where cancer care in the Philippines is equitable, excellent, and enduring.
Highlights
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: From Awareness to Action
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to strengthen awareness, encourage early action, and build stronger pathways to quality cancer care.
For PCS Cancer Commission Foundation, breast cancer awareness is not only about knowing the signs. It is also about ensuring that people, families, communities, and health workers have the knowledge and support they need to navigate care.
Because quality cancer care begins in the community.
This October, PCS CanCom continues to champion person-centered and integrated cancer care—helping build communities where people know what to look for, where to seek help, and how to move forward.
Together, we can bring quality cancer care closer to every Filipino.
P.I.N.K. 2026: Lighting the Way from Awareness to Action
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the PCS Cancer Commission Foundation (PCS CanCom) proudly joins the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) and partner societies in supporting P.I.N.K. (PCS–Inner Wheel Nagkakaisa sa Pagsugpo sa Kanser)
On October 8, 2026, institutions and communities nationwide are invited to:
🎀 4:00 PM — Breast Cancer Lay Forum via Zoom
Learn, ask questions, and share reliable information about breast cancer.
💗 6:00 PM — Simultaneous Pink Lighting
Light up your building, landmark, or community space in PINK to show solidarity with people and families affected by breast cancer.
Be Part of the Movement
Register your institution, join the Lay Forum, light up PINK, and help spread breast cancer awareness in your community.
🔗 Register here: Pink Lighting 2026 Registration
For PCS CanCom, awareness is a step toward early action, stronger communities, and quality, person-centered cancer care.
One light can start a conversation. Many lights can move a nation. 💗
Join us. Light up PINK. Learn. Stand together. Take action.
Virtual Multidisciplinary Tumor Board: Elevating Breast Cancer Care Through Collaboration
Bringing Expertise Together for Better Outcomes
Breast cancer management requires precise, coordinated decision-making across multiple clinical specialties. The Philippine College of Surgeons Cancer Commission Foundation (PCS CanCom), in collaboration with specialty medical societies and the Telemedicine Network of the Philippines, invites healthcare professionals to join our Virtual Multidisciplinary Tumor Board (VMTB).
VMTBs connect clinicians, surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, and allied health professionals across regions to deliberate on complex patient cases, exchange evidence-based practice, and formulate optimized care plans. By leveraging digital connectivity, we bridge geographic gaps to make specialized expertise accessible to every patient, everywhere.
Why Healthcare Professionals Should Participate
Multidisciplinary Insight: Gain real-time perspectives from leading specialists in breast surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, radiology, and palliative care.
Case-Based Learning: Discuss clinical scenarios, diagnostic challenges, and multimodal treatment strategies.
Expanded Clinical Network: Collaborate with peers nationwide to elevate regional standard-of-care benchmarks.
Person-Centered Impact: Help deliver cohesive, well-rounded care decisions that improve patient prognosis and quality of life.
Session Details & Registration
Event Title: Virtual Multidisciplinary Tumor Board — Breast Cancer
Theme: Collaborate. Innovate. Cure.
Target Audience: Medical Doctors, Specialists, Residents, Fellows, and Healthcare Providers
Date & Time: Thursday, October 22 | 6:00 PM PST
Organized By: Philippine College of Surgeons Cancer Commission Foundation
Partner Societies: Philippine Society of Breast Surgeons (PSBS), Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO), Philippine Society for Radiation Oncology (PSRO), Philippine Society of Pathologists (PSP), Philippine College of Radiology (PCR), Philippine Society of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (PSHPM), and Telemedicine Network of the Philippines.
AWARENESS. ACTION. HOPE.
In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, PCS CanCom is honored to share a message from Dr. Felicidad Claudia R. Ordoñez, President of the Philippine Society of Breast Surgeons and a Director of the PCS Cancer Commission Foundation.
Through her work as a breast surgeon and her commitment to cancer care, Dr. Ordoñez reminds us that awareness is only the beginning. What matters is how we turn that awareness into action, while never losing sight of the person behind every diagnosis.
Read her message below.
A MESSAGE IN CELEBRATION OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
AWARENESS. ACTION.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It reminds us that breast cancer touches not only those who receive the diagnosis, but also the families, friends, caregivers, and communities who walk beside them.
Awareness is where we begin. But awareness alone is not enough. It must lead to action.
Awareness means knowing your breast health, understanding your risk, recognizing changes, and having the courage to seek help. Do not let fear or uncertainty keep you from taking that first step. A consultation, an examination, or a screening test may seem like a small step, but it can make a meaningful difference.
To those facing breast cancer, you are not alone. To our survivors, thank you for reminding us that there is life, hope, and strength beyond a diagnosis. To our families, caregivers, and advocates, thank you for standing beside patients through every difficult moment. And to everyone who cares for those with breast cancer, may we never forget the person behind the diagnosis and the importance of compassion alongside excellent care.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let us do more than wear a ribbon or share a message.
Let us turn awareness into action.
Encourage someone to seek care.
Support someone through treatment.
Listen to our survivors.
Speak up for better access to care.
And continue learning so that we can continue to do better.
Because behind every diagnosis is a person.
Behind every person is a story.
And behind every story is a life that matters.
AWARENESS. ACTION. HOPE.
May our awareness inspire us to act—not only this October, but every day.
Dr. Felicidad Claudia R. Ordoñez
President
Philippine Society of Breast Surgeons
Bringing Breast Cancer Awareness and Support Closer to the Community
Quality cancer care begins not only in hospitals and treatment centers. It also begins in the communities where people live.
The PCS CanCom Breast Cancer Manual & Outreach Project was developed to help equip Barangay Health Workers, community leaders, and families with practical knowledge and tools to support breast cancer awareness, encourage timely action, and help individuals navigate the cancer-care journey.
Through community-based education and outreach, the project aims to strengthen the role of local communities in promoting breast health and connecting people to appropriate care.
We are looking for partners.
PCS Cancer Commission Foundation welcomes organizations and communities interested in bringing the Breast Cancer Manual and outreach activities to their areas.
We invite LGUs, barangays, hospitals, healthcare organizations, civic groups, corporations, schools, and community organizations to collaborate with us.
If your organization would like to explore a partnership, outreach activity, or community-based initiative, get in touch with PCS Cancer Commission Foundation.
Cancer care begins in the community. Let’s bring quality care closer to every Filipino—together.
Some things are scary. Cancer myths shouldn’t be one of them.
PCS CanCom Supports Patient Power Philippines 2026: Advancing Breast Cancer Care from Commitment to Action
As part of its commitment to advancing quality, person-centered cancer care in the Philippines, the PCS Cancer Commission Foundation (PCS CanCom) proudly supported the Patient Power Philippines 2026 Summit, organized by the ICanServe Foundation, with the theme:
“Advancing to Action: Advancing the Global Breast Cancer Initiative.”
Held as a platform for patients, survivors, advocates, healthcare professionals, policymakers, local leaders, and partners, the two-day summit focused on an important question: How can global breast cancer goals translate into meaningful action for Filipino women and their communities?
The discussions went beyond identifying challenges. Participants shared lived experiences, exchanged insights, explored solutions, and strengthened commitments toward more responsive and person-centered breast cancer care.
PCS CanCom was honored to contribute actively to the summit, with members of its Board and leadership serving as speakers, panelists, facilitators, and session chairs, including:
Manuel Francisco T. Roxas, MD, Chairman Emeritus
Tefel Pesigan-Valentino, Executive Director
Necy S. Juat, MD, Director for Collaborations
Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, Board Member
Carmen V. Auste, Board Member
Alfonso Nunez III, Board Member
Christina Galvez, MD, Board Member
Their participation reflects PCS CanCom’s commitment to bringing together diverse voices and expertise to strengthen the cancer-care ecosystem.
From Patient Voice to Action
For PCS CanCom, meaningful breast cancer care begins with listening to the people at the heart of it.
Patients and survivors must not only be included in conversations about cancer care—their experiences and perspectives should help inform the actions and systems designed to serve them.
As the Philippines observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month, PCS CanCom continues to support initiatives that strengthen patient voice, community engagement, collaboration, and access to quality cancer care.
The summit may have ended. The work continues.
Together, we move from discussion to commitment, and from commitment to action—toward better, more person-centered breast cancer care for every Filipino.
Mental Health Is Part of Cancer Care
Cancer can affect much more than a person's physical health. A diagnosis and its treatment may bring fear, uncertainty, stress, grief, financial concerns, changes in relationships, and many other emotional challenges.
On World Mental Health Day, PCS Cancer Commission Foundation highlights the importance of recognizing these needs as part of quality, person-centered cancer care.
Supporting a person with cancer means making space not only for medical treatment, but also for listening, emotional support, psychosocial care, and connection.
Because caring for the whole person means caring for both body and mind.
Don’t Let Cancer Myths Haunt Us
Halloween reminds us that fear can sometimes come from what we do not understand.
The same can be true about cancer.
Misconceptions about cancer can create fear, delay help-seeking, and make an already difficult journey even harder.
This Halloween, PCS Cancer Commission Foundation encourages everyone to choose reliable information over myths, conversation over silence, and timely action over fear.
Because knowledge can help people make informed decisions about their health and seek appropriate care.
Don’t let cancer myths haunt your community.
CONTACT US
CONTACT US
📞 +63 917 700 7500
📧 secretariat@pcscancom.org
🏢3/F Philippine College of Surgeons Building, 992 EDSA, Quezon City, Metro Manila, 1105
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