2 weeks ago
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ILOILO CITY — More than 500 women in Western Visayas were found to have signs of potential cervical cancer in 2024 and yet only a small fraction of the region's female population underwent screening.
The Department of Health Region 6 (DOH-6) said that of the 10,791 women screened last year, 520 or 4.82 percent, tested positive for precancerous lesions or possible cervical cancer.
This figure becomes more alarming considering that the total number screened represents just 0.44 percent of the region's female population.
Dr. Aimee Marie Gayomali, head of the Non-Communicable Diseases Cluster of DOH-6, raised concern over the low screening coverage and urged more women to take advantage of free screening and vaccination services.
"It is encouraged for women to make screening and vaccination part of their health priorities," she said.
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Gayomali said that early detection through screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
She called on women ages 30 to 65 to undergo regular tests, and for girls ages 9 to 14 to get the free HPV vaccine offered through the DOH's school-based immunization program and primary care facilities.
HPV infection, the leading cause of cervical cancer, spreads through skin-to-skin sexual contact, even when there are no visible symptoms.
Gayomali warned that failure to act early may lead to cases only being discovered in their advanced, harder-to-treat stages.
"If you have an active sexual activity or you are an active sexual person, you have to be examined, and you should avail yourself before you reach the age of 14, you should have already availed HPV vaccines," she said.
She noted that HPV vaccination is recommended for girls ages 9 to 14, as this is the ideal age before they become sexually active.
"The risk of cervical cancer will be decreased because it is already developed in the antibodies against HPV," she added.
Gayomali emphasized that commercial sex workers are a high-risk population and should be screened regularly.
Screening methods for cervical cancer include visual inspection with acetic acid, pap smear (cervical cytology) and HPV DNA testing.
