A fund that helps cancer patients is now available at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), a hospital official said Friday.

In a press briefing, Dr. Mae Dolendo, chair of the SPMC Integrated Cancer Care Committee, said the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) can now be accessed by cancer patients as an additional form of assistance.

“The cancer assistance fund pays for radiation therapy, laboratories, imaging – CT scan, X-ray – blood transfusions are also being supported,” Dolendo said.

Dolendo added that the CAF is not only for patients in public hospitals, but can also be availed by those who are in private medical facilities.

“There are requirements, such as a medical certificate, medical abstract, the usual requirements, because we really have to document it as we are responsible for the fund given to us,” she said.

Under Republic Act 11215 or “An Act Institutionalizing a National Integrated Cancer Control Program and Appropriating Funds Therefor”, cancer patients can now avail of as much as PHP150,000 worth of laboratory, radiology, and blood transfusion fees.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the eight identified priority cancer types eligible to be financed by the CAF includes – breast cancer, childhood cancer, gynecologic cancer, liver cancer, adult blood cancers, head and neck cancers, lung cancer, and prostate, renal, and urinary bladder cancers.

The SPMC, having been identified and designated as a cancer care center of the DOH, received the initial fund of PHP8 million for CAF in October last year.

Despite the CAF being a huge help for cancer-stricken residents here, Dolendo reminded the public to avoid the disease through the observance of a proper diet and by undergoing screening for early detection. (PNA)