The Quezon City government, in partnership with the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS), is stepping up its care program while improving its residents’ access to screening, treatment, and support systems.

Mayor Joy Belmonte led the unveiling of the “ACT NOW: 30-Day Screening to Treatment” program as part of the commemoration of World Cancer Day 2025 on Tuesday at the SB Park in Batasan Hills.

The Quezon City mayor said the program aims to streamline the entire cancer care process—from detection and referral to the patient’s medication treatment—within a single month.

“Hindi biro ang sakit na cancer. Bukod sa pagiging banta sa kalusugan, pabigat din ito sa mga pamilya dahil napakamahal ng gamutan para rito (Cancer is no joke. Besides being a health threat, it is also a burden on families because the treatment for it is very expensive),” Belmonte said.

“Kapag mas maagang na-detect ang cancer at mayroon na tayong nakahandang mga programa, maaagapan natin ito at maiiwasan ang malalang epekto nito sa buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga mamamayan (When cancer is detected earlier and we have prepared programs, we can prevent it and avoid its severe effects on the lives and livelihoods of our citizens),” she added.

Key components of the initiative include streamlined cancer services available at city health centers and through community outreach programs, mobile and on-site screening using the PCS’s bus offering free breast cancer screenings as it traverses various communities, while also providing free human papillomavirus (HPV) tests.

Meanwhile, the city government will also expand its lung cancer screening program, in collaboration with the Lung Center of the Philippines, and establish Cancer Control Ambassadors to improve community engagement.

“They (ambassadors) will serve as community focal persons to ensure early detection and stronger referral systems while fostering a ‘Bayanihan’ (community cooperation) spirit to navigate cancer care resources effectively,” Belmonte said.

The city government said the initiative builds on the success of the ACT NOW Advocacy program, which started in 2023 in Barangay Commonwealth.

The program initially leveraged an integrated online portal to identify women at risk for breast cancer, significantly shortening the time from consultation, and diagnosis, up to treatment referral to partner hospitals, DOH-designated cancer centers, and cancer medical access programs sites.

PCS president Corazon Ngelangel, meanwhile, vowed to continue efforts to improve education, information, clinical services, registry, advocacy, and lobby towards its vision of a country well-prepared to meet the cancer challenge and a citizenry fully aware of the threats of the disease.

“We join hands together to continue this cancer control coalition. We ACT NOW – together we are stronger, together we can,” she said.

To visually mark World Cancer Day, the QC Pylon in Quezon Memorial Circle will glow in purple from Feb. 1 to 7, symbolizing the city’s commitment to fighting cancer. (PNA)