1340 - From Incidence to Impact: Disparities in Cancer Trends and Rehabilitation in the Philippines

Objectives: Ethnic minority groups experience disproportionate morbidity and mortality from cancer. Filipinos in particular demonstrate a higher incidence of select cancers with worse survival and functional outcomes. This systematic review aims to characterize epidemiological trends among Filipinos and assess current cancer rehabilitation practices in the Philippines.

Design: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Three electronic databases (WebofScience, PubMed, and Medline) were queried with the search terms “[Filipino] AND [cancer]” and “[Philippines] AND [cancer].” Primary outcomes were epidemiologic (incidence, diagnosis stage, mortality) and cancer rehabilitation metrics (service availability, patient-reported outcomes) among Filipinos.

Results: An initial search yielded 535 articles, of which 33 were included for full-text review. Filipinos bear distinct cancer burdens. Thyroid cancer presents the starkest disparity: compared to non-Hispanic Whites, Filipinos have higher incidence (19.6/100,000) and mortality (1.72/100,000; 95% CI 1.51–1.95). Despite this, Filipino ethnicity is not reflected in prognostic guidelines. Further differences emerge in other cancers. Filipino-Americans and White-Americans share comparable five-year survival rates for colorectal/CRC, ovarian, and bladder cancers, while Philippines-based patients experience lower survival rates. This discrepancy stems from later-stage diagnosis and structural barriers; 47% of Philippines-based patients receive no cancer treatment owing to cost, distance, or insurance limits. Screening disparities also prevail. The Philippines lacks nationwide breast cancer screening, and Filipinos have lower CRC and prostate cancer screening rates compared to U.S. populations. Furthermore, substantial rehabilitation needs persist, with malnutrition and pervasive fatigue interfering with daily activities in 76% of cancer patients.

Conclusions: Filipinos face disproportionate morbidity and mortality across multiple cancers. In the Philippines, limited access to rehabilitation services and inadequate screening exacerbate these outcomes. This review will inform the development of a cancer treatment and rehabilitation curriculum that emphasizes early detection and takes sociocultural considerations into account.