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MANILA, Philippines -- United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney wore pink Tuesday as an expression of her support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the US embassy here said in a statement.
Aside from supporting the spread of awareness about the disease, the US government also “honors those currently battling the disease and their family and friends who provide them with love and support.”
According to the embassy, American First Lady Laura Bush announced that the White House would be lit pink on October 7 to show the ongoing US support for eliminating the disease.
"President Bush and the people of the United States continue the nation's strong commitment to preventing, treating, and ultimately, curing breast cancer," it said.
The embassy statement cited World Health Organization estimates that more than 1.2 million people worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
"In the Philippines, breast cancer is the leading cause of
cancer-related deaths among women. After cervical cancer, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States," it said.
Through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the embassy said, the US government assisted the Philippine health sector by strengthening local government capacity in health service delivery, promoting access to health information, and enabling private sector to provide health services.
"Specifically for women's health, USAID assists in promoting clinical and counseling skills among public and private health care providers, in empowering women to adopt healthy behaviors and helping them deliver in safe settings especially those living in under-served, poor communities," it added.
