Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting women globally, according to World Health Organization data. In 2018 alone, an estimated 570,000 women worldwide were diagnosed with cervical cancer, around 311,000 of whom perished from the disease.
Infection with the human papillomavirus is a key determinant in the development of cervical cancer. HPV is a virus with more than 100 types. It may cause other diseases such as oropharyngeal cancer, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, vulvar/vaginal cancer, anal cancer, dysplasias, and genital warts. However, only 13 types of HPV can cause cervical cancer, explains Capito.
MSD, in collaboration with different LGUs, joined forces with the Department of Health and the Department of Education , as well as medical societies organizations like POGS and private organizations such as the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. , to strengthen the paradigm shift towards eliminating cervical cancer in the Philippines.
“Getting screened for cervical cancer as early as possible is crucial in helping prevent the disease, especially since it has no visible symptoms until later stages”, shares Van Phillip Baton, MD, Head of the Non-Communicable Diseases Section of the Central Visayas Center for Health Development of the DOH.
“It’s better before any sexual contact, so they are protected against HPV,” adds Erwin de Mesa, MD, an infectious disease specialist. This is especially true since HPV is transferred via sexual intercourse and skin-to-skin contact in the genital area,” explains de Mesa.
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