Philippines Sees Rise in CML Among Younger Population, DoH Urges Regular Blood Tests

The Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday urged Filipinos to undergo regular annual blood tests to help detect leukemia, including its rare type, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which has been diagnosed in patients in the country at a younger age than the global average. In the Philippines, leukemia is among the top five killer cancers and ranked as the ninth most prevalent type of cancer, according to a DoH statement posted on Facebook, citing data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN). Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow and causes abnormalities in the production of white blood cells in the body, the DoH said in an earlier statement. It is the most common type of blood cancer among Filipinos, especially children. For its rarer type, CML, the DoH said it is being diagnosed in younger patients in the country, between 38 and 50 years old, compared with the global average of 60 years old and above. CML is a type of blood cancer in which mutations occur in chromosomes 9 and 22, which can lead to the formation of the Philadelphia chromosome. “This can cause the rapid and excessive production of abnormal white blood cells,” the DoH said in a visual material. Symptoms do not usually persist during the early stages of CML, making annual blood tests, such as a Complete Blood Count (CBC), important. However, if symptoms persist, the DoH urged the public to consult the nearest health center. These include fatigue, recurrent fever or night sweats, swelling in the left side of the abdomen, sudden weight loss, a high white blood cell count, and feeling full quickly. The DoH also reminded the public of available support and benefits for cancer care, such as the Z Benefits package of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), among others. This trend of increasing CML diagnoses among younger demographics in the Philippines highlights a significant public health concern. It underscores the importance of accessible healthcare services and preventive measures, particularly within the framework of the universal healthcare system. In relation to Japan, this could potentially lead to discussions on medical technology exchange and the ongoing trend of Filipino healthcare professionals seeking overseas employment.