According to studies, 12 Filipino women die of cervical cancer every day. It is now the second most common cancer among women in the Philippines. Of 6,000 women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, more than half of them will die within five years.

For those who have no idea about cervical cancer, here are some fast facts:

• Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix, the lower narrow part of the uterus (womb) where a baby grows during a woman’s pregnancy.
• Early cervical cancers show no symptoms or signs. When cancer has become invasive, the most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding.
• Risk factors include HPV infection, certain sexual behaviors such as having multiple partners and sexual intercourse at an early age, and tobacco and cigarette use.
• It usually strikes at the peak of a woman’s productivity and family life (35 – 55 years old)

May 2010 is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month so the Department of Health (DOH), along with the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of the Philippines (SGOP), the Philippine Society for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy, the Cancer Resource and Wellness (Carewell) Community, and Merck Sharp & Dohme, will be having a free nationwide cervical cancer screening for women ages 25 – 44 on May 26, 2010.

This year marks a milestone for the annual program as it expands from 10 Metro Manila hospitals and 3 in the provinces to 60 DOH-retained hospitals all over the country, said DOH Undersecretary Director Gako.

Cervical cancer screening is a crucial secondary prevention method for early detection and treatment, explained SGOP President Dr. Rey Delos Reyes. Vaccination represents a primary prevention method to inhibit the development of cervical cancer, as well as other HPV-related diseases.

For more information about HPV and the ways to ward off infection, consult your doctor and log on to www.helpfighthpv.com

Here is the list of DOH retained hospitals: http://www2.doh.gov.ph/hosp/list_of_doh_retained_hospitals.htm

Published: 2010-05-23 01:37:39