If you’re a woman who has ever had to undergo a Pap smear test, you know how uncomfortable, at best, it can be. I couldn’t even complete mine a few years ago. (I kept telling my doctor I would rather be sent to a difficult coverage than endure the same procedure again.)
The experience of a Pap smear test, invented by George Papanicolaou and introduced in 1941, has not changed in over 80 years, still using a brush and a speculum to collect cells from the cervix.
The good news is that the Department of Health has now approved the use of HPV DNA testing—a generally painless way to collect samples which, based on the recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council, meets the minimum performance criteria of the World Health Organization for HPV screening tests.
In a recent DOH circular, a copy of which was obtained by Manila Standard, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa affirmed the “credibility and reliability of HTAC’s positive recommendation” on HPV DNA testing.
for HPV DNA testing
Ahead of the DOH approval, various stakeholders from the health, development, and local and national government upheld the findings of the Centralized Laboratory Model for HPV DNA Screening (CLAMS) pilot project, a milestone toward the elimination of cervical cancer in the country
Unlike conventional Pap smears and visual inspection methods, HPV DNA tests can identify the presence of high-risk HPV infections before they progress to cancer. This means women can be diagnosed earlier, with far greater accuracy, and connected to timely treatment—ultimately saving more lives and easing the burden on health systems.
“Awareness is the first step—women need to know how early screening can impact their health. Next is accessibility: if testing is available in health centers, women can take it conveniently through self-sampling without burdening our healthcare system,” said Dr. Christia Padolina, Navotas City Administrator.
High-risk HPV causes almost all cervical cancer cases, yet fewer than one percent of Filipino women undergo regular screening amid barriers in screening coverage, public awareness, and health system capacity
Through the CLAMS innovative hub-and-spoke network, women can collect cervical samples themselves, which are then transported to central laboratories for HPV DNA testing, enabling high-volume, highly accurate screening. The model also integrates thermal ablation at the point of care to treat precancerous lesions.
“Self-sampling is a game changer because it allows women to collect their own specimens, removing barriers of discomfort and stigma. With samples processed through a centralized laboratory using high-throughput PCR, we ensure accuracy and efficiency without requiring a full hospital setup. This makes the model scalable, effective, and easily integrated into local health services—helping more women access life-saving screening,” said Dr. Ingrid Magnata, country program manager, Jhpiego Philippines.
In the Philippines, 68 percent of women diagnosed with cervical cancer die within a year, an alarming consequence of late detection and limited access to timely care. Nearly 75 percent of cases are caught at advanced stages, when treatment is less effective and survival rates drastically drop.
The CLAMS pilot project was implemented over 18 months from 2023 to 2024 across five highly urbanized cities in Metro Manila—Manila, Quezon City, Navotas, Taguig, and Muntinlupa—in close collaboration with local government units, health offices, and Jhpiego
The CLAMS Phase 2 will expand HPV DNA testing to reach 10,000 women in Cebu, Davao City, and Taguig.
