Cebu (CNN Philippines, October 5) — Cebu City’s most iconic landmarks turned pink on Wednesday night and will remain so for the whole of October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Mayor Michael Rama led the lighting ceremony where city hall and Magellan’s Cross were among landmarks highlighted during the countdown.
Organizers also lit up the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) or commonly known as the Cebu Third Bridge, along with the Fuente Osmena Circle, Carbon Market Freedom Park, and the Cebu City Library.
CCLEX management said it is supporting the awareness drive against breast cancer for the entire October.
The façade of the newly opened National Museum in Cebu was also in pink lights.
Rama noted the importance of awareness in the early detection of breast cancer or any other \”Big C\” as a sign to seek medical help.
In Congress, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar filed House Resolution 1023 to highlight the impact of the disease and how it is critical to “look into the increasing number of breast cancer cases in the country, with the intent of supporting early-detection programs, increasing breast cancer awareness and ultimately arresting the third most fatal type of cancer in the Philippines.”
Citing data from the World Health Organization, Villar said breast cancer was the most prevalent type of cancer among women in 2020. She added that of the over 86,000 total cases nationwide, over 27,000 were listed as breast cancer.
\”Breast cancer has a mortality rate of 10.7% or equivalent to 9,926 deaths, and is considered the third most fatal cancer in the country, behind lung and liver cancer,\” she said.
Villar said the Philippines had the highest prevalence of breast cancer in Asia.
