The Department of Health – Davao Center for Health Development, City Health Office (CHO), Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), and other partners held a regional launch of the Cervical Cancer Screening Service (CCSS) at the Davao City Recreation Center on Thursday.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects the cervix. It is considered a disease that can be prevented and cured.
According to DOH-Davao Center for Health Development, it also remains the second most common type of cancer among Filipino women aged 15 to 44 years.
It also said that the primary cause of cervical cancer is a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted sexually. However, not everyone infected with this virus can develop cancer. Besides HPV infection, other factors increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Most patients do not have any signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease. By the time the individual has symptoms, the cancer may have already spread.
Dr. Julinda Acosta, head of CHO technical division, said that the massive vaccination drive among young girls aged 9 to 14 years old is part of their strengthened campaign on cervical cancer prevention in Davao City.
Acosta said that the barangay health workers have been capacitated to administer the vaccination in their respective barangay health stations.
During the launching of the regional cervical cancer screening services, there was a free CCSS that included the following services: HPV vaccination (for 9-14 years old) and HIV testing/screening (for 15 years old and above).
