Filipino women have disturbingly low rates of cancer screening.

With just 1% of women getting screened for breast or cervical cancer or having access to the first line of cancer prevention, screening rates among Filipino women may be the lowest in the world.

Filipino women are the least checked for cancer in the world, according to Valerie Gilbert Ulep, senior research fellow at the primary government think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), who recently presented his paper on cancer and its expenses.

“Breast and cervical cancer screening are extremely low in the Philippines compared to upper-middle and high-income countries,” Ulep said in his presentation.

“A big portion [of the] country’s cancer burden is preventable,” he said.

He said, noting the findings of his study, "however, it boils down to comprehensive preventative and curative interventions for the population." The percentage for women in the Philippines is barely 1%, compared to double-digit rates for cancer screening in other nations. The rate is 20% in the Philippines' neighbors Malaysia and Thailand.

They're even concerned that the rate is low, according to Ulep. "We are diagnosing cancer patients at a very, very late stage," he claimed.

In comparison to its neighbors Cambodia and Myanmar, the Philippines has a greater rate of early cancer death. Poor preventive care in the country is reflected in the low screening rates.