Andi Manzano-Reyes recalled her wedding to GP Reyes in 2013 as one of the most emotional moments in her life.
It was a celebration of her union with the man of her life, made even more meaningful with the presence of her mother Rose, who had just triumphed over cervical cancer.
“I was crying during my entire wedding,” she told The Standard in an interview during the launch of GlaxoSmithKline’s “You Can and You Will” campaign against cervical cancer, held recently.
“It was a moment made extra special because my mom had just finished her bout with cancer,” she added.
“It was five months before Andi’s wedding, when I experienced some bleeding. I was out with friends and I told them I had excessive bleeding. I initially thought it was going to menopause.” My friends told me it wasn’t normal so I called up my cousin who was (an) OB-Gynecologist. And he asked me to see him immediately.
“I had a pap smear and he [OB-Gyn] said he could already feel the tumor. I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer Stage 1B2.
“Our life before was carefree, we’d travel a lot, eat out watch movies. I was one of those who never thought I’d have cancer because I eat right, I work out, so it really came as a surprise to me when I found out.”
Andi, eldest among five children, said her world crashed upon hearing the news.
“We are a very close family and we do almost everything together. I see my mom four times a week and we would always call, skype or facetime whenever I’m far away. So when she told us the news, I was devastated. My world crashed.”
So in between her wedding preparations, Andi dutifully accompanied her mom to the hospital.
“There were times I would go all the way to Antipolo to pick her up, drive her to the hospital and bring her home and go straight to work after. Seeing the injection and chemo go through her veins made my heart break every second.”
“It was so hard to see her that weak and helpless, losing hair little by little and her worrying about money, the kids, the grocery, her business… Seeing a loved one suffer has to be the worst thing, even worse than a break up, cause a break up you know you’ll heal but with cancer, you’ll never know.”
“It was the thought of losing her, so each day with her was so precious to me,” Andi recalled.
The chemotherapy sessions lasted for about three months, and thankfully Rose was able to beat the disease.
The frightening ordeal, Andi said, taught their entire family a very valuable lesson—that there are ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from cervical cancer.
“Anybody can get cervical cancer so it’s better to get vaccine, to have screening, to get your pap smear every year. Do it not only for yourself but for the people you love.
In commemoration of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, research-based pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) furthers its advocacy to increase cervical cancer awareness efforts with the Power Over Cervical Cancer “You Can & You Will” campaign.
The campaign aims to encourage Filipinas to realize that they have the power to protect themselves and their dreams—simply by consulting their doctors and asking about ways to prevent cervical cancer.
“An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Getting cancer may be a distant concept for women who are well and at their prime, but they should be aware that even the healthiest can be at risk,” says, Dr. Leah Manio, GSK Medical Affairs manager.
In the Philippines, it is estimated that the financial cost of preventing cervical cancer through screening and vaccination could be 20 times more affordable than the cost of treatment,” she adds.
“The power to protect yourself from cervical cancer is in your hands, and NOW is the best time to consult with your physician and have yourself screened,” Dr. Manio stated.
GSK remains true to its commitment of increasing access to preventive healthcare through its initiatives to improve access to information through its disease awareness efforts.
We may be living in an era where women not only rule our homes, they also run the world—from being leaders in the government to managing business enterprises, women now have more opportunities to realize their dreams.
The sad fact, however, is that every day, seven Filipino women die of cervical cancer, and may never get to complete their life goals, may be stripped of the chance to fulfill a successful career, start a family or even just find Mr. Right. All because of a disease, a kind of cancer that puts every woman at risk, regardless of race, age, lifestyle or socio-economic status.
Cervical cancer continues to be a major threat for Filipino women. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipinas. What’s worrisome is that two in three Filipinas diagnosed with cervical cancer may die within five years. Since culturally, Filipinas are known to be caring and selfless for others but tend to dismiss concerns about themselves, those who may have contracted cervical cancer may have been diagnosed at a late stage, when the chances of recovery are slim.
Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and spread in the cervix, the entrance between the vagina and the uterus. This is caused by persistent infection with the cancer causing human papillomavirus (HPV).
Up to 80 percent of women would be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. It is an estimate, but is based on trends in health care institutions. Majority of HPV infections may come and go, some may clear spontaneously within two years , however, if the immune system is weak, the HPV infections may persist and may eventually lead to the development of cervical cancer .
The incidence of cancer-causing HPV infection is actually highest at the young ages of 15-19. One is at a greater risk of cervical cancer if one had her first sexual intercourse at a young age; have given birth multiple times; have or have had sexually transmitted diseases; have HIV or whose immune system is weakened; a smoker; long-term use of oral contraceptives for five years or more and those who rarely or have not yet had any pap smear .
The World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (WHO-SAGE) on Immunization reiterates the importance of getting young girls protected through HPV immunization before their first exposure to HPV (i.e. before sexual contact), as young as 9 years old.
For older women, the risk of persistent infection with cancer-causing HPV (which is necessary for cervical cancer to develop) increases with age, and is highest when a woman is over 66 years old . Thus, screening is recommended starting age 21 to detect cervical abnormalities that precede actual cervical cancer. Studies further show that vaccination remains to be beneficial for older women to prevent HPV infections .
To know more about cervical cancer, visit the Power Over Cervical Cancer Page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/POCCPh) and the Pangarap Mo, Protektado page on Youtube (www.youtube.com/ProteksyonPortal) containing information and short films conveying how protecting oneself against vaccine-preventable diseases is one important step in the achievement of one’s dreams.
