Although considered a preventable disease, the burden of cervical cancer in the country remains to be moderately high.  With the low socio-economic status and poverty of the Filipinos come the rise in prostitution, same-sex relationship and premarital sex among young adults, it is important to know if the majority of women prone to cervical cancer are aware of the different risk factors and causes of the disease.

The incidence of cervical cancer begins to rise at ages 30 – 39. In developing countries, cervical cancer occurrences are due to lack of screening programs to battle the disease.  In 2005, 7,277 cases were recorded with 3,807 resulting to death.  The high mortality was attributed to the fact that 755 of the women diagnosed were deprived of affordable treatment. (Domingo and Echo, 2009)

To prevent the disease those prone to cervical cancer should use commercially available vaccines, employ physical protection during intercourse like condoms, avoid smoking and should have high intake of fruits and vegetable with high Vitamin C contents.

It is high time to educate the women of today with the reality of being exposed to the disease and educate them more on how to combat its spread and make every woman free from cervical cancer.

Reference:

Domingo EJ, Echo AVVD. Epidemiology, Prevention and Treatment of Cervical Cancer in the Phils. Gynecol-Oncol Vol. 20, No. 1:11-16, 2009.

By: Natividad T. Gloria | Teacher III | Bonifacio Camacho National High School | Abucay, Bataan