The Department of Health – Ilocos Region in partnership with the Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) and the local government units of Bacnotan, La Union conducted a free cervical and breast cancer screening for women aged 30-65 to help prevent the development of cancer on January 31, 2025.
THE Department of Health – Ilocos Region started its free cervical including breast cancer screening in the province of La Union for women aged 30-65 to help prevent the development of cancer among women.
The activity is conducted in partnership with the Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) and local government units in the region.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco stated that screening tests can detect cancer at an early stage before any symptoms appear. “Kapag may abnormalities na makikita sa screening mas madali itong mabigyan ng treatment bago pa ito kumalat sa katawan. Kaya we are encouraging all women to undergo screening para malaman nila ang kanilang health status.”
“Through prevention and proper information about cancer, we can significantly reduce women’s health risk. And better understanding of cancer and its causes also makes people better able to support those with the disease in their family,” Sydiongco added.
The screening test for cervical cancer detects infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes 99% of cervical cancer among women and is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Yearly, there are more than 6,000 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in the country with 12 recorded deaths daily.
From May 2024 to December 31, 2024, 51,253 women were screened for cervical cancer in Region 1. 29,547 were from the province of Pangasinan, followed by La Union with 8,262, Ilocos Sur with 7,130, and Ilocos Norte with 6,315.
Regional Cancer Control Program Manager Francisco de Vera, Jr. said that the total target to be screened for the Region 1 is 1,022,108. “Tumataas napo ang percentage of women screened for cervical cancer and for those who were found out to be positive during the screening test were referred to ITRMC for observation and treatment.
“They will be given the necessary care for them to get well. Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable with the HPV vaccine including screening and treatment,” De Vera emphasized.
The free mobile screening for cervical and breast cancer will continue to visit various municipalities in all the provinces of Ilocos to be able to meet the 5% target and provide the needed health services for women.
A health assessment through the Philippine Package for Essential Non-Communicable Diseases Interventions (PhilPEN) was also conducted by the regional office to assess the presence or absence of risk factors for the early detection, prevention, and management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes.
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