Legazpi City: The Department of Health in Bicol (DOH-5) has called on women to make use of available free cervical cancer screening services, stressing the importance of early detection in improving treatment outcomes.

According to Philippines News Agency, at a press conference held at La Edley, Julie Ann Granadino, who serves as the Cancer Control Regional Program Manager for DOH-5, emphasized the need to normalize cervical cancer screenings. Granadino noted the lack of attention this critical health issue has received and pointed out the stigma that often surrounds such screenings.

Granadino stated, “When women are screened, there is a stigma associated with screening that we need to break. We should make it a regular practice and not be shy about seeking screenings. The benefits of screening far outweigh any drawbacks,” she said in Filipino.

The agency is actively working on capacity-building initiatives for healthcare workers to enhance the screening process through various methodologies. In the Bicol Region, cervical cancer screening services are offered at two public health facilities: the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center in Albay, and the Bicol Medical Center in Camarines Sur.

Cervical cancer originates from abnormal cell growth in the cervix and is primarily linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). Regular screenings are crucial for women aged 30 to 65, as early-stage cervical cancer typically presents no specific symptoms.

Screening options include visual inspection using acetic acid, Pap smears, and HPV DNA tests. Symptoms to watch for include genital bleeding unrelated to menstruation, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, changes in vaginal discharge, and discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Granadino highlighted that cervical cancer is both treatable and preventable through regular screenings every three to five years, in addition to the HPV vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14. In Bicol, over 1.7 million females are eligible for screening.