ICanServe Foundation partnered with the Department of Health’s Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MMCHD) to train local government unit (LGU) primary health workers on Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) and Patient Navigation for breast cancer patients. Fifty nurses, midwives, and doctors from Metro Manila’s 16 cities and 1 municipality participated in the two-part workshop, which was held from June 9-10 and July 8-9, 2025 in San Mateo, Rizal and Taguig City.
The workshop included hands-on training in CBE by Dr. Camille Anne Abaya and Dr. Cecile Montales, and lectures on such topics as Breast Cancer 101, Breast Cancer Myths and Facts, Barriers to Health Care, Roles and Key Tasks of Patient Navigators in Breast Cancer Patient Care, and Bedside Manners for Patient Navigators.
The training program also included a study tour hosted by the City of Taguig led by Mayor Lani Cayetano, which in 2024 received the Galing Pook Award for its successful implementation of Ating Dibdibin, ICanServe’s flagship community-based breast cancer control program. Participants visited different health facilities around Taguig, and learned best practices and lessons directly shared by Taguig’s Patient Navigators.
This initiative is a major step forward in ICanServe and the DOH’s shared mission to save more lives, reduce breast cancer mortality, and align with the World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative.
ICanServe wishes to thank the DOH team composed of Dr. Jeremy Jordan Castro – Medical Officer III, Ms. Criselou Labaro – Nurse III, Ms. Krizza Rebadomia – Health Program Officer II, Ms. Rave Alair – Health Program Officer II, and Jovilyn Quinto – Health Program Officer II; Dr. Karin Estepa Garcia, and the City of Taguig led by Mayor Lani Cayetano, Dr. Cecile Montales, Dr. Peachy Sy, Dr. Evelyn Lacsina, Dr. Norena Osano, Dr. Angeli del Valle, Dr. Tim Trinidad, and Councilor Marisse Eron.
