FOLLOWING the lead of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez in promoting women’s health, the Medical and Dental Service (MDS) under the House of Representatives’ Administrative Department headed by Deputy Secretary General Atty. Jennelyn Go-Sison, conducted a lecture on Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening on Thursday.
It may be recalled that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) included free annual mammogram and ultrasound services as additional benefit for its female members beginning July 2024.
Lecture resource person Dr. Khristine Vine Dubhe Jadjuli, MD, FPOGS, said that breast and cervical cancers are among the top common cancers affecting women worldwide.
She added that cervical cancer is treatable and early detection leads to reduction in both death and morbidity rates of the disease itself.
“Cervical cancer is preventable because sa lahat ng cancer siya lang po ang may vaccine,” she said.
She urged women to conduct regular self-breast examination, clinical breast exam and mammography.
Jadjuli stressed the importance of understanding the risk factors associated with this disease.
These include old age, family history of breast and ovarian cancer, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
Modifiable risk factors, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), obesity, drinking alcohol, smoking and processed foods can be reduced to minimize the risk of developing breast cancer, according to the resource person.
The lecture is part of the HRep’s Women’s Month Fair initiatives with the theme, “Empowering Women with Health and Wellness,” in celebration of National Women’s Month.
Other initiatives also included free complete breast and cervical cancer screening at the De Venecia Hall, South Wing Annex.
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