Manila: For many Filipinos, a cancer diagnosis is not just a medical crisis. It is an immediate financial death sentence. This was what Nena Atanas, a 66-year-old mother and former overseas Filipino worker, felt in April 2024 when she discovered a swollen lump in her armpit, later diagnosed as breast cancer.

According to Philippines News Agency, Atanas expressed that the timing of her diagnosis was devastating, as she was already overwhelmed with emotional and physical exhaustion from caring for her two ailing children. Her son had undergone surgery to have metal plates placed in his arm due to a road accident, while her daughter was battling Stage 1B uterine cancer, requiring a total hysterectomy. The stress took its toll, and during her initial chemotherapy, her cancer aggressively progressed to Stage 4, spreading to her lungs. Despite the challenges, Atanas was determined to fight back, forcing food into her system to regain strength.

PhilHealth Z-Benefit Package and Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) played a pivotal role in her treatment. As a senior citizen, Atanas automatically qualified for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's Z-Benefit Package for Breast Cancer, which she received at the Rizal Medical Center. The package, providing up to PHP1.4 million in financial assistance, covers aspects of cancer care including diagnostic tests, chemotherapy, and post-treatment surveillance.

Atanas' treatment showed positive results, with tumors in her breast and lungs shrinking after extensive chemotherapy cycles. This led to an urgent mastectomy at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, a procedure covered by PhilHealth and the Department of Health's ZBB policy. Atanas emphasized her gratitude for the program, which covered all her medical expenses, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy medication. Her only out-of-pocket expenses were for travel and minimal care items.

Her mastectomy showed negative biopsy results, indicating no trace of cancer, and she is now preparing for additional treatments to protect her bones. Atanas' journey underscores the transformative impact of a functioning healthcare system, offering hope and a second chance at life to those facing severe medical and financial challenges.