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Breast cancer group launches MAMMOvan in Laoag City

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WOMEN CARE IN LC. The officers and trustees of the Breast Cancer Imperative (BRCAI) Inc. headed by its president, Delia C. Baquiran in cooperation with the Timoteo and Luisa Cachola Fund launch the Philippine's 1st Mammovan held at Laoag City. The project was inaugurated by Laoag mayor Chevylle v. Fariñas and Health Assistant Secretary Gerardo V. Bayugo. (Doms dela Cruz)

Laoag CITY—The Breast Cancer Imperative, Inc. (BRCAI), a non-profit corporation, celebrated the launching and blessing of the MAMMOvan—a Philippine first—in Laoag City.

The MAMMOvan—the first of its kind in Southeast Asia—is a mammography unit on wheels which will offer free screening mammography services to underserved women in Northern Luzon and subsidized screenings to  those who can afford them.

“Costs and access are the two main barriers for a very low mammography adoption in the Philippines,” states breast cancer survivor and BRCAI president and founder, Delia C. Baquiran. “I consider myself the poster child of early detection. I believe that early detection equals prevention,” she added.

Diagnosed at age 52 with early stage disease, she has used her experiences as a patient and an oncology nurse to help demystify the stigma of breast cancer for other women.

The MAMMOvan completes the Early Detection and Screening for Breast Cancer platform of BRCAI. Other components of the program include advocacy outreach to communities teaching them breast health and cancer awareness, risk assessment and lifestyle interventions.

An important piece of the training program is the breast self-exam demonstration and return demonstration so participants can use this model in their everyday life.  

“We engage barangay health workers in our outreach activities because they play a pivotal role in the health structure of the community. For our services to have impact, community engagement is essential,” emphasized Ms. Baquiran, adding: “It is my hope that mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends will live to watch their children grow up like I did through these early imperatives.”

The launching and blessing event was attended by community leaders, health care providers, local government officials, and citizens, led by the first female mayor of Laoag City, Ms. Chevylle Fariñas and Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Gerardo Bayugo.

“We should have more MAMMOvans. The Philippines has the highest mortality rate and lowest survival rate in Asia,” Dr. Bayugo noted.

The MAMMOvan went on its maiden trip to Sto. Domingo, in Ilocos Sur, a few days after its launch.

“In a matter of hours, we screened 13 women which is more than the monthly average number that a hospital with a mammography equipment screens,” remarked Dr. Laennec C. Baquiran, vice president and chief medical officer of BRCAI.

Multiple requests from various municipalities and sponsoring organizations for the MAMMOvan and the EDSP are coming in.

The Breast Cancer Imperative, Inc. (BRCAI) is a non-profit and non-stock corporation registered with the Philippines Securities Exchange Commission. Our mission is to empower and engage communities in the early detection and screening imperatives for breast cancer. Our impact will result in healthy communities towards a wealthy Philippines.


It is a volunteer organization and count on strategic partners such as the Timoteo and Luisa Cachola Fund, Toyota Motors Philippines Foundation, the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care, Inc., the Philippine College of Surgeons - Northern Luzon Chapter, and kind donors to pursue our mission.
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