BY: FERLIZA C. CONTRATISTA
CEBU CITY, April 30 (PIA) --- Health officials urged women to have themselves checked to prevent cervical cancer.
In today’s Kapihan sa PIA Cebu, officials from the Department of Health (DOH7-) and the premier regional hospital Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) highlighted the need for women to undergo screening as prevention and early detection of cancer of the cervix.
Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Canal, DOH7 Program Coordinator for Non Communicable Diseases Section, said they have lined up several activities that will raise awareness of women about cervical cancer.
The cancer of the cervix is the second identified killer of women following breast cancer.
“There is an increasing trend of cases of cervical cancer because of lifestyle practices,” Canal said.
The cervix is the narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top of the vagina.
In VSMMC alone, Dr. Marybeth de los Santos said around three to five women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every month.
Usually these cases are already in their advanced stages since most of the women do not visit the doctor or clinics until there are already severe manifestations, according to Dr. de los Santos.
Symptoms of cervical cancer include odorous discharge from the vagina or bleeding and bleeding during sexual intercourse.
Cervical cancer is caused by a strain of virus called Human Papillomavirus which infects the cervix and is transmitted mostly through sexual intercourse.
The other triggering factor is smoking.
“Women who have had more than six sexual partners and those that have given birth seven times as well as smokers are high risk of HPV,” de los Santos said.
Since May is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, activities have been set to reach out to as many women, specially younger women for prevention.
They scheduled a mass screening in all public schools in Cebu City for females aged 9 to 14 while screening is also available at VSMMC everyday for only P50.
They will also conduct cervical cancer discussions or “pulong-pulongs” at the Out Patient Division (OPD) of the hospital for the entire month of May.
Scarlet May will begin with a Lantern Walk on May 3 from Fuente Osmena 3pm to Cebu Capitol Grounds where a zumba session will be held. (rmn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)