(R) DOH- Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco leads the launching of the social mobilization project and mass screening for cervical cancer held at the La Union Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in San Fernando City, La Union on May 10, 2024.
THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region in collaboration with the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) OB-Gynecology Department today launched a largescale social mobilization project and mass screening for cervical cancer for residents of the province of La Union at the gymnasium of La Union Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in San Fernando City.
The activity screened more than 150 women ages 30-49 for cervical cancer and provided Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to 120 girls ages 9-14 years old.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco emphasized the importance of early detection and treatment through screening can help prevent the onset of cervical cancer. “Upang makaiwas at mabawasan ang pagkakaroon ng cervical cancer makabubuting magpatingin upang malaman at mapigilan ang ito. Cervical cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer and preventable because we have available vaccines for this disease.”
Sydiongco emphasized that the regional office will be implementing the 90-70-90 guiding treatment for the elimination of cervical cancer. “This means 90% of pre-puberty girls ages 9-15 years old must be given HPV vaccine; 70% of women ages 30 to 65 must be screened through visual inspection using acetic acid, pap smear or HPV DNA tests; and 90% of women identified with cervical cancer will be given treatment.”
According to the 2023 data from the HPV Information Centre, the Philippines has a population of 39.6 million women aged 15 years old and above who are in danger of developing cervical cancer. It also estimated about 7,897 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,052 die from the disease annually.
Aside from the cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination, clinical breast examination, risk assessment screening on diabetes mellitus, hypertension and HIV/AIDS testing will also be provided including oral health with tooth extraction, cleaning and check-up.
“As we observe the Cervical Cancer Awareness month, we will be increasing our efforts in protecting our women through mass screening and HPV immunization activities in every province together with the support of our local government,” Sydiongco assured.
The social mobilization project and mass screening for cervical cancer activity will also be conducted in the province of Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan.
