Many cancer awareness campaigns focus on symptoms and early detection, but what we don’t talk about enough is how fear of the cost can stop people from even getting checked.
When I first felt a small lump on my breast in early 2023, my biggest worry wasn’t what it might be, it was how much it would cost to find out. Like many Filipinos, I assumed that everything about cancer care in the Philippines was expensive, from consultations to hospital tests. That belief made me delay getting checked for months.
I wish I had found something then that explained the real costs of breast cancer diagnostics, not to scare me, but to prepare me. To show that while treatment can be costly, getting checked and diagnosed doesn’t have to be out of reach.
For over a year, I tried to ignore the lump, convincing myself it was probably just a cyst. I didn’t have pain or any other symptoms, so I waited, until one day, I noticed nipple bleeding. That was when I finally saw a doctor and learned that I had a rare type of breast cancer called Encapsulated Papillary Carcinoma (EPC), Stage 3.
The prognosis for this type is actually good, which makes me think about how different things could have been if I hadn’t waited so long. If I had gone to the doctor sooner, I might have been able to keep my breast, and maybe even avoided chemotherapy. It’s a hard truth to face, but one that reminds me why it’s so important to get checked early, no matter how afraid or uncertain we feel.
Looking back, I wish I had gone sooner. The process can feel overwhelming, but once you know what tests you’ll need and what they cost, it becomes more manageable.
That’s why I created a free PDF guide for anyone who might be hesitating to get checked because of financial worries. It’s based on my own experience navigating the breast cancer diagnosis and treatment process in the Philippines, and includes:
- What to expect during your first hospital visits and diagnostic procedures
- The typical cost range of biopsies, imaging, and lab tests
- How to use PhilHealth Z Benefits and other government programs to reduce costs
- Steps for updating your PhilHealth and PWD ID after diagnosis
- What happens next if you’re advised to proceed with treatment
You can download the free breast cancer guide for patients in the Philippines here:
👉 The Patients Playbook - A Budget Guide to Cancer in the Philippines
I wrote this to help remove the doubt that often stops people from seeking help, the fear of “baka mahal” or “baka wala akong pambayad.”
Because the first step to healing is not just courage, it’s knowing that you can take that first step.
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