HEALTH authorities urged women to get screened for breast cancer as the city recorded 155 deaths from January to August 2026.
Dr. Sharlene L. Tan, Davao City Health Office (CHO) Women’s Health: Breast and Cervical CA, Pregnancy, and Motherhood coordinator, reported the number during the Ispeak media forum on Thursday, Oct. 8.
CHO also recorded 210 deaths for the whole year of 2025, based on death certificates registered in the city, but does not show whether breast cancer was the immediate cause of death.
However, the official urged the public to perform regular self-examinations and seek immediate clinical evaluation upon detecting common symptoms.
Tan said health-seeking behaviors of some women are low, citing some only seek consultation unless it is already advanced or when the lump is noticeably growing.
“Naa koy na-encounter na medyo dugay na jud ilang mass, like ang uban moingon silag few years na ilang mass, pero since mapansin nila nagadako, so mao na nag-adto na sila,” Tan said.
“Gina emphasize ang screening para at least earlier pa lang, mahibaw-an na dayon if delikado ba tong mass, or basin benign lang ba sya, or cancer na,” she added.
Clinical breast examinations are routinely integrated into primary care visits at barangay health centers, including prenatal checks and routine cervical cancer screenings (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid or VIA).
Dr. Kristine Nieto-Lorenzo, surgical oncologist of Mindanao Surgical Oncology Fellowship Training Program, said the warning signs include unexplained breast lumps or masses, bloody nipple discharge, skin texture changes, such as dimpling or skin texture alterations, nipple or skin ulcerations and swelling or lumps under the armpit or around the collarbone area.
While breast cancer predominantly affects women in the 40-to-70 age bracket, Lorenzo warned that younger demographics are increasingly being diagnosed.
“We already have a lot of patients that are under 40 years old, as young as 21 to 22 years old,” Lorenzo stated.
She added that while male breast cancer accounts for only about one percent of overall cases, men are not entirely exempt from the disease.
The doctor advised the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices to lower risk factors such as maintaining a balanced diet, minimizing consumption of ultra-processed and canned foods, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol, and managing weight.
Local health groups and the Southern Mindanao Surgical Oncology chapter announced a community event dubbed “Pink Day” scheduled for Saturday, October 10 at SM City Davao (Ecoland) Annex.
The daylong activity will feature free breast cancer screenings and a health forum in the morning, followed by a fashion show and a Zumba activity in the afternoon, while a “Pink Run” advocacy event will also take place on Sunday, Oct. 11.
