A stronger life often begins with one clear decision: to know the body better, ask the right questions, and to take action earlier. This is the philosophy at the heart of Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH), the Philippines’ first dedicated cancer hospital. HCCH is helping shift the cancer conversation from fear and delay to clarity, early action, and coordinated care — because when people understand their risks and know where to turn, they are better equipped to protect their health.
“Stronger starts with knowing,” shares Dr. Kaye Recto, HCCH Deputy Chief Operating Officer. “It’s about empowering each of us to understand our bodies, embrace the power of early detection, and bravely act long before any symptoms even whisper. Every Filipino deserves the peace of mind that comes from being the captain of their health journey.”
Beyond the Hospital Walls: Bringing Early Detection Closer to the Community
Through The Stronger Life Community, HCCH brought its message of proactive health directly to the public — with complimentary screenings, expert consultations, and wellness experiences designed to help Filipinos take the first step earlier.
The initiative reflects HCCH’s broader approach to cancer care:
· Care Planning Built Around the Patient
Cancer care is never one-size-fits-all. At HCCH, patients are guided through a more coordinated care pathway — with advanced diagnostics, specialist consultations, and individualized treatment planning shaped around their diagnosis, risks, goals, and quality of life.
· A Team of Experts Around Each Case
Through HCCH’s multidisciplinary approach, specialists across surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, diagnostics, pathology, nutrition, rehabilitation, survivorship, and supportive care can come together to align on the patient’s care plan. The goal is simple: clearer decisions, better coordination, and fewer patients feeling like they have to navigate cancer alone.
· Centers of Excellence for More Focused Care
HCCH’s Centers of Excellence are designed around priority cancer types and patient needs — helping create clearer pathways from screening and diagnosis to treatment, recovery, and life beyond cancer.
· Navigated, Whole-Person Care
HCCH’s approach goes beyond treating the disease. It also recognizes the emotional, physical, practical, and quality-of-life needs that come with cancer — from early detection to survivorship.
Your Body, Your Power: What to Watch For
HCCH reminds Filipinos that screening is not one-size-fits-all. Age, symptoms, family history, lifestyle, and personal risk all matter — which is why the best next step is to know the general guidelines, listen to the body, and consult the right specialist.
Breast & Women’s Health: Know Your Normal
● The Vibe: Fear or uncertainty can make women delay getting checked. But knowing what is normal for your body — and acting when something changes — is one of the strongest steps you can take.
â—Ź Good News: Breast care has come a long way. With earlier screening, clearer diagnostics, and specialist-led guidance, women can move from worry to answers faster.
● Your Move: For breast health, HCCH encourages self-breast awareness from age 20, clinical breast examination by a doctor from age 35, and screening mammography from age 40 — earlier for women with family history, symptoms, dense breasts, or higher risk. For cervical cancer prevention, women should speak with their doctor about the right screening schedule. Pap testing and HPV-based screening may be recommended at different life stages, while HPV vaccination can start as early as age 9, with catch-up or adult vaccination guided by a doctor.
Lung Health: Ask Questions, Breathe Easier
â—Ź The Vibe: Lung cancer can be quiet in its early stages, and symptoms are often easy to dismiss. That is why knowing personal risk matters.
● Good News: For people at higher risk, low-dose CT screening can help detect lung concerns earlier. For patients with lung nodules or suspicious findings, expert review can help determine the right next step — whether monitoring, further testing, or treatment planning.
â—Ź Your Move: Low-dose CT screening may be recommended for adults ages 50 to 80 with a significant smoking history, including current and former smokers. Do not ignore a persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing blood, unexplained weight loss, or a lung nodule finding.
Gut Health: Listen to the Signals
● The Vibe: Gut symptoms are easy to brush off, but colorectal cancer is one of the cancers where screening can make a major difference — sometimes even before cancer develops.
â—Ź Good News: HCCH offers a more coordinated path for colorectal and gastrointestinal care, bringing together specialists across screening, diagnostics, surgery, oncology, nutrition, and recovery so patients are not left to navigate the journey alone.
â—Ź Your Move: For average-risk adults, colorectal cancer screening generally begins at age 45. Screening options may include colonoscopy, FIT, stool DNA / RNA-based tests, and newer blood-based screening tests for appropriate average-risk patients who may not proceed with traditional screening. Those with symptoms, family history, prior polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or other risks should consult a doctor earlier.
Head, Neck & ENT: Early Attention Matters
● The Vibe: A raspy voice, a lingering mouth sore, a lump in your neck – these can seem minor, but they might be early signs of something more.
● Good News: HCCH’s Head and Neck care focuses not only on treating the disease, but on protecting the functions that shape daily life — voice, swallowing, breathing, appearance, confidence, and quality of life. This requires highly specialized, coordinated care from diagnosis to treatment planning, recovery, and rehabilitation.
â—Ź Your Move: There is no single routine screening test for most head and neck cancers, so symptoms matter. A mouth sore, neck lump, voice change, swallowing difficulty, red or white patch, or unusual ENT symptom that lasts more than two to three weeks should be checked.
Survivorship: Life, Stronger Than Ever
â—Ź The Vibe: The journey doesn’t end with treatment. Fatigue, emotional shifts, and nutritional needs are real and deserve support.
â—Ź Good News: At HCCH, survivorship planning starts from day one. They offer coordinated rehabilitation, nutrition, emotional support, and address concerns like fertility and mental well-being, because “Whole-Person Oncology” means your whole life matters.
â—Ź Your Move: Don’t hesitate to ask about recovery early. Speak up about side effects or emotional well-being. Your amazing life after cancer is just as important, and HCCH champions it.
Stronger Starts Here with HCCH’s New Standard of Care
From personalized care plans to expert teams working in sync, HCCH is dedicated to giving Filipinos more options, earlier, with a compassionate team walking every step with you. “Stronger starts with one step: show up, ask questions, screen earlier, and consult sooner,” said Dr. Ramy Roxas, Chief Operating Officer of Healthway Cancer Care Hospital. “HCCH is here to make that journey clearer, more coordinated, and more human for patients and families.”
Ready to take that first step towards a stronger, more empowered you? Connect with Healthway Cancer Care Hospital – where your health journey begins with knowledge, confidence, and care.
