Event Geek

The Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) held cervical screening activities in Pilar, Camotes Island, Cebu last July 24 and at the International Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IPI) in Mabolo, Cebu City last July 27.

The activity in Camotes was in response to the invitation of the Junior Chamber International Philippines-Zugbuana to offer free cervical cancer screening, free medical check-ups, and free laboratory tests during the group’s medical mission there. EJACC also responded to the invitation of the IPI Foundation to hold similar screening for the IPI employees.

These series of activities are part of EJACC’s advocacy on cancer awareness, detection, and prevention.
Based on the Cebu population-based Cancer Registry of EJACC, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Metro Cebu, after breast cancer.

In the recent Cancer Registry report, the average number of cervical cases in Metro Cebu is at least 331 from 2003 to 2009. The mortality rate of the registered patients within the period is 53 percent.

The common cause of cervical cancer is strongly linked with sexual activity and is most probably caused by the transmission of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). All women who have had sexual intercourse are at risk of this disease.

Risk factors of cervical cancer include sex at a young age, multiple sexual partners, promiscuous male partners, history of sexually transmitted disease, smoking, use of oral contraceptive pills for more than 5 years, and reduced access to health care or no screening.

Some symptoms of cervical cancer are abnormal vaginal bleeding, serosanguinous discharge usually with a fish odor, pelvic pain, and pain during sexual intercourse, but some are asymptomatic until quite advanced, especially in women who are not sexually active.

Cervical cancer is preventable with early detection and treatment. One can take preventive measures by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and nutrition, exercise, proper hygiene, avoiding stresses and vices, using barrier contraceptive, maintaining monogamous sexual relationships, and undergoing HPV vaccination.
Cervical cancer can be detected through various screenings such as pap smear, visual inspection with acetic acid, colposcopy, HPV testing, and single visit approach (SVA).

Early stages of cervical cancer can be treated through surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. For more information about cervical cancer and EJACC’s active screening program, please contact Gina at 254-6351 or 256-3287.