For a disease like cervical cancer, one word stands out as the best method of prevention, and that is vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that causes it. Experts say that anytime between the ages of 9 to 14 years old is the best time to get inoculated versus the disease, as this is the period right before young girls typically become sexually active and therefore more at risk of contracting the virus.
As such, local governments and institutions in the Philippines have decided to heed this call. Several public health initiatives have consistently been held throughout the years to increase awareness and spur proactive action among both young and adult Filipinas. These constant efforts and a well-thought out strategy are necessary, given that cervical cancer is a the country’s second most common form of cancer – taking the lives of at least 12 Filipinas daily.
One example is the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) implementing School-Based Immunization (SBI) Programs across the country. The joint effort began in 2016, and has covered multiple vaccine-related preventable diseases over the years. Tetanus, diphtheria, and measles have been a few previous focal points, and this time one of the key conditions being tackled is cervical cancer.
A notable run of these school-based immunization programs happened in Pasig City last September, as part of the city’s “Kabataan Para sa HPV-Free Pasig City” initiative. The activity supports the DOH and DepEd’s larger “Sa Aking Paglaki, Walang HPV” program. It is also the first of its kind to be led by a youth organization, being spearheaded by Barangay Pinagbuhatan’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). Launch day alone was a great success, with the youth-led immunization program giving 300 girls their doses of free HPV vaccinations. Another 3,000 adolescent students are also expected to get their immunizations as the program runs throughout the year.
In addition to the immunizations given to students, nearly 10,000 doses were also prepared for administering to the Pasig LGU’s workers. These will be done across four health centers spread throughout the city, which will also offer reproductive health services for Pasigueños. Even knowledge sharing was given a focus during the SK-led initiative, with several youth leaders going door-to-door to speak with parents and guardians about the HPV virus and getting immunized against it. The goal was not only to raise awareness for the condition and its local prevalence, but also to seek the adults’ informed consent in getting vaccinations for their younger loved ones.
HPV infection and cervical cancer prevention truly is the spotlight message of the recent immunization drive. Eliminating the problem at its source is a highly-effective manner of stopping it from becoming an even larger health crisis in the country. Particularly for adolescents, an HPV vaccination has an efficacy rate of up to 93% when given at this age. Young girls can grow up with a strong sense of security that they have lifelong, adequate protection against cervical cancer and the HPV infections that cause it.
Collaboration to Stop a Highly Preventable Disease
Cervical cancer occurs in the cervix cells, through an infection brought about by the HPV virus. Most infections that come from this group of 200 viruses, transmitted by close skin-to-skin contact, are easily fought by the body’s immune system. However, the viruses sometimes cause an infection that creates changes in the cervix cells. These changes may eventually develop into cancer.
One danger with cervical cancer is that symptoms are often absent in early stages. It is only as the disease progresses that physical signs may start to pop up. Symptoms might be vaginal bleeding, heavier menstrual cycles, pain during intercourse, or having foul or bloody discharges. That further highlights the importance of getting vaccinated in the first place. Cervical cancer prevention significantly reduces the odds of contracting the disease, which means that women can steer clear of not only the cancer itself, but also the potential dangers of late discovery due to the delayed manifestation of physical symptoms.
On a global scale, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working towards a worldwide strategy of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030. All countries have a role to play in achieving this. Every nation must have given the HPV vaccination to 90% of their girls by 15 years old, while 70% of women should be screened for the condition at 35 years old, and once again at 45 years old. In terms of treatment, 90% of those with pre-cancer should be treated while the same percentage of those with an invasive form of the cancer must have their conditions managed.
Beginning with the first step is the most important, of course. Public and private entities translating the WHO’s call into regular school and city-based initiatives will put the Philippines well on the path of meeting the end-of-decade goals. Their local vaccination drives, for example, will play a critical role in reducing the spread of cervical cancer because it directly addresses the root cause, which is the HPV virus. It also targets young girls at the stage right before they become most vulnerable to the disease.
The DOH, DepEd, Pasig City LGU, and Barangay Pinagbuhatan SK are all hopeful that this pioneering project won’t be the last in the city, and that it kicks off a new string of activities and collaborations that will drive further awareness and action against cervical cancer and the HPV virus.
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