The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) joined hands to provide the first-ever organized cancer screening services for women in the workplace with the theme, “Babae, Mahalaga Ka! Magpa-cancer Screening na!” to foster cancer awareness, prevention, and control among women while improving their health and overall well-being.
The services offered for cervical cancer screening encompass advanced molecular approaches such as the Human Papillomavirus DNA Test (HPV-DNA) for women aged 30-49, complemented by cytologic tests like Pap smears or Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) for women aged 50 and above.
Cervical cancer ranks as the third most prevalent cancer among women.
Cervical cancer, while highly treatable when detected early, ranks as the third most prevalent cancer among women, following breast and colorectal cancers.
Often asymptomatic in its initial stages, cervical cancer is primarily caused by HPV, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection. Nonetheless, preventive measures such as the HPV vaccine and early detection through screening can mitigate the impact of this disease.
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., a cancer survivor himself and an advocate of early detection, said they are one with the DOH in advocating for women’s health and espousing for cancer screenings in workplaces.
“Early detection for diseases like cancer means early treatment and higher chances of survival.”
“We are fully onboard on this partnership with the DOH. Early detection for diseases like cancer means early treatment and higher chances of survival. Layunin natin na mas maraming matulungan sa pamamagitan ng hakbang na ito,” Abalos stressed.
Following this event, the DOH Centers for Health Development (CHDs) will spearhead screening services in their respective regions, focusing on the detection and prevention of cervical and breast cancers.
These services will be readily available at various healthcare facilities, such as the Quezon City Health Department with the assistance of Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics’ (Jhpiego) Centralized Laboratory Model for HPV DNA Screening (CLAMS) Project.
“When we take care of women, we take care of the nation. With this initiative, we not only address the pressing need for organized cancer screening services but also recognize the pivotal role of women in our society towards Bagong Pilipinas, kung saan Bawat Buhay Mahalaga,” expressed by the DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa.
