CLOSE to 1,000 girls aged nine to 14 in Banna town completed their immunization on the same day, making Banna town the first municipality in the Philippines to achieve 90 percent vaccination towards eliminating cervical cancer which remains the second most common cancer among women worldwide.
HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common virus that spreads through sex. Although most infections with HPV are harmless and go by itself, some types cause cervical cancer in women.
In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an estimated 600,000 women worldwide who were diagnosed with cervical cancer and about 300,000 women died from the disease annually.
In the Philippines, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer and the fourth leading cause of death from cancer in females. The latest record shows there are about 37.8 million Filipino women at risk.
To safeguard the young girls of Banna from this virus, Mayor Mary Chrislyn Abadilla, who is a medical doctor by profession persuaded her constituents to support the immunization program being spearheaded by the WHO with the help of the Department of Health and Department of Education in ensuring that the girls in town are safe and protected against cervical cancer.
"I was surprised that throughout the country, we were the first to achieve this. If we want to achieve something on a national level, we must work hand in hand and do something about it," Abadilla said as she directed all the Barangay Captains to gather all pertinent data and sought the help of the Department of Education to advocate cervical cancer awareness.
In time for the celebration of the cervical cancer awareness month this May, Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco, regional director of the Department of Health-Center for Health and Development in Region 1 lauded the efforts of the local government unit of Banna for the successful implementation of the HPV immunization program.
By availing free screening and getting the vaccine from participating health centers, the DOH hopes to increase access to early detection services, combat the growing burden of cervical cancer, and empower more women to take charge of their health. In support of HPV immunization towards eliminating cervical cancer, the state-run Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) in Batac City is also set to conduct free screening on May 17, 2024.
Dr. Modesty Leaño, officer-in-charge medical center chief of the MMMH&MC underscored the importance of early detection, highlighting that cervical cancer is highly treatable when caught in its early stages.
The Batac Hospital is one of the 31 cancer treatment sites of the Department of Health (DOH) designated to conduct free screening and consultations to promote early cancer detection and improve treatment outcomes.
In her speech, Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos also expressed her commitment to the implementation of the immunization program by enacting life-saving measures to reduce the risk of cervical cancer and all other health-related concerns.
She urged more young women to get vaccinated against HPV and get regular screening for their protection and safety.
When diagnosed, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Cancers diagnosed in late stages can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and palliative care.
With a comprehensive approach to prevent, screen, and treat, cervical cancer can be eliminated as a public health problem within a generation.