JUSTINE AMORA & ANDRE AMPIG/UM Interns
A MEDICAL expert advised girls and women to undergo screening and vaccination for cervical cancer, a deadly but totally preventable disease caused primarily by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Dr. Maria Patricia Angelica Quinto, a volunteer consultant at the Southern Philippines Medical Center’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, debunked the myth that a cervical cancer diagnosis is an automatic death sentence.
“Cervical cancer is not a death sentence. It’s actually one of the cancers that is very preventable, if we catch it at the right time,” she said during the Kapehan at SM City Davao on Monday, May 25, in observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
Quinto noted that cervical cancer is the second leading type among Filipino women, next to breast cancer.
She emphasized that Cervical Cancer Awareness Month was established not only to keep pace with breast cancer advocacy campaigns, but also to inform women on how to avoid and prevent the disease through three simple steps.
“Number one, proper screening, pagpapa-check-up sa doctor para ma-check ang cervix. Number two is vaccination. Very few cancers ang may vaccination available, and cervical cancer is one of them. And three, if you catch it early enough, maganda ang survival rates,” Dr. Quinto stated.
She also highlighted that cervical cancer is covered under PhilHealth’s Z Package, meaning that from the moment a patient is diagnosed and qualifies under the program’s criteria (up to Stage 3), all procedures, including CT scans and treatments, will be shouldered by PhilHealth.
For those seeking free vaccination, Dr. Quinto mentioned that Gardasil 4, a cervical cancer vaccine, is available at local government units and is offered to school-aged girls between 9 and 15 years old, serving as an accessible alternative to costly private hospital services.
In terms of treatment, Dr. Quinto shared that SPMC is equipped to provide all modes of treatment, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, she acknowledged that the hospital’s system can become overwhelmed due to the high volume of patients it serves, and that they are currently looking into expanding their facilities to accommodate more patients.
Quinto recommended that women begin cervical cancer screening at age 30, even without symptoms. HPV-DNA testing is available at SPMC and private hospitals.
A negative test result means the next screening is due five years later, while a positive result calls for a referral to a specialist. Pap smear was also cited as a more affordable alternative, as well as barangay health workers who have been trained to conduct screenings.
Quinto also addressed those who remain hesitant about getting vaccinated.
“These vaccines can potentially save their lives kasi if maiiwasan mo naman magkaroon ng virus na yun, ba’t mo ire-risk na magkaroon ka? The second-best way, next to abstinence, is to get the vaccine,” she said.
She urged Filipino women, particularly those engaged in high-risk behaviors, to undergo screenings regardless of age to maximize early detection and prevent the virus from progressing into a life-threatening condition.
