BY BENJAMIN CASPILLO III & JOSEF DAVIDON/UM Intern
TO MARK Cervical Cancer Awareness Month this May, Davao City is encouraging women to avail of free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations and testing.
“Ang cause majority sa cervical cancer is ang atong ginatawag nga HPV, ang Human Papillomavirus,” said district health physician Dr. Sharlene Tan during the May 15 iSpeak Media Forum.
She explained that HPV is sexually transmitted, with early symptoms that may include irregular spotting, bleeding between periods, post-menopausal bleeding, bleeding after intercourse, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
“So, ang prevention jud ani is ang atong HPV vaccine, so libre siya ma-avail sa atong health centers for 9 to 14 years old,” added Dr. Tan.
While individuals aged 15 to 55 can still receive the vaccine, priority is given to the 9 to 14 age group, according to the City Health Office.
Dr. Tan also encouraged women aged 20 and above to undergo the free Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening available at their respective health centers to check for possible HPV infection.
“Ang cervical cancer, from 2022 na WHO survey, number three ni siya sa pinaka-common among women. Usually, asypmtomatic man gud siya. Mao na kinahanglan ang screening jud ani,” explained the District Health Physician.
Davao City recorded 88 deaths due to cervical cancer in 2023 and 67 deaths so far in 2024, according to Dr. Tan.
To further promote cervical cancer prevention, the Southern Mindanao Chapter of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society collaborated with major hospitals to participate in the nationwide cervical cancer screening campaign on May 23.
