No one deserves to experience cervical cancer.
This is why HPV and cervical cancer awareness event “Cervical Cancer: Di mo DeCerv” brought together medical organizations, patient communities, and the public in a shared mission to combat cervical cancer in the Philippines.
The event, by MSD in the Philippines, was supported by a diverse group of partner organizations, including Maxicare, Makati Medical Center, Mercury Drug, Life Saver, Hello Doctor, SouthStar Drug, Juan Medical, Travertine, CerviQ, Vaxcen, Kindred, JCI, and ZP Therapeutics. These organizations set up booths and distributed pamphlets to participants, further promoting public health awareness and ensuring broad access to HPV vaccination and education.
The event empowered participants with critical knowledge about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, and fostered collaboration among advocates, experts, and various stakeholders to collectively tackle this preventable disease.
Debunking myths
HPV is a common sexually-transmitted infection, and the leading cause of cervical cancer. Fortunately, this disease can be prevented through vaccination1, available at hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and local health centers.
During the event, panelists and experts tackled topics about the virus, including debunking myths surrounding it.
“Having HPV doesn’t mean you are sexually promiscuous. It is possible to have only one sexual partner and still develop cervical cancer or other HPV-related diseases,” Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr. Dennis Delgado stated.
He also clarified that both men and women can get HPV1, so it is important for both sexes to get tested and immunized against it.
Stories from advocates
Cervical cancer survivors, advocates, and experts in the field also shared their own stories and experiences with HPV and HPV-related diseases. Their narratives provided a poignant reminder of the human lives behind the numbers — and that no one is a mere statistic. Their stories highlighted the importance of preventive measures, and inspired hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Belay Fernando, a former player and coach of the Philippine National Team for women’s football, shared her journey of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from cervical cancer.
“As someone who started playing football at 12 years old, and the only person in my family to pursue a career in sports, learning that my condition had changed my physical body was a tough pill to swallow. But looking back, I can’t help but be grateful for my experience because it gave me a way to help people by talking about my journey,” she said.
Celebrity and influencer Andi Manzano-Reyes discussed how her advocacy was inspired by her mother, a cervical cancer survivor.
“My mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer ten years ago, which is why I became an advocate to encourage people to get vaccinated,” she said.
Because her mother ensured she and her siblings got immunized against HPV, Manzano herself is making sure that her three daughters get that same protection.
HPV vaccination as a form of protection
“Primary prevention is important to combat cervical cancer, and this involves identifying the risk factors of the disease, in this case, getting vaccinated against HPV to prevent the infection causing the disease in the individual,” said Dr. Judith Peralta, Obstetrics and Gynecology as she explained the importance of vaccination.
“As a pediatrician, it’s very important to inform our patients about total healthcare, and HPV is one of the recommended vaccines for all our pediatric patients,” said Dr. Natasha Ann R. Esteban-Ipac, Adolescent Medicine – Pedia when asked about the role of pediatricians when it comes to awareness of HPV and cervical cancer.
To promote better access to immunization against HPV-related diseases, pharmacies are now authorized to administer the HPV vaccine. This development opens up new avenues for individuals to get preventive care in familiar community settings.
“With pharmacies serving as accessible hubs for healthcare services, individuals can now easily incorporate an HPV vaccination into their routine visits, removing potential barriers such as transportation issues or scheduling constraints,” Ms. Hazel Docuyanan, the department head for Pharmacy Services at the Makati Medical Center, stated.
The President of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Makati Princess Urduja Chapter, Rach Aurelio, highlighted their collaborative efforts to spread awareness about cervical cancer.
“We partner with several non-profit government organizations (NGOs) and schools so we can reach out to the community and inform them about cervical cancer protection. The children are the future decision-makers, so we need to share the right information with them,” she emphasized.
The event concluded with a call to action urging attendees to become advocates for change within their communities.
For their part, MSD in the Philippines shared that they will continue their ongoing initiatives to support vaccination drives, improve access to screening services, and launch public education campaigns aimed at reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.
These efforts are in line with the World Health Organization’s 90-70-90 initiative to eliminate cervical cancer: where 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15; 70% of women are screened using a high-performance test by the age of 35, and again by the age of 45; and 90% of women with pre-cancer are treated and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed.
With continued dedication and community engagement, the vision of a cervical cancer-free future is within reach, the organizers said.
