MikeLigalig.com

by PIA

Women should undergo regular pap smear, as advised by the Department of Health (DOH) officials as they spearheaded the observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month this May.

DOH-CAR Regional Training Center, Dr. Ma. Lorena Santos of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, in a DOH-sponsored Kapihan  forum, said that cervical cancer remains to be the number two killer among women, second only to breast cancer nationwide. From 1985 to 2005, it posted an average of two deaths per 1,000 women.

For BGHMC alone, Santos also confirmed an increasing trend in cervical cancer. In 2011, they have 150 discharged cases of secondary cervical cancer with two deaths, which is higher compared to their 2010 data of 129 cases.

City Health Services Office (HSO) Epidemiology Unit head, Dr. Donnabel Tubera , also confirmed that cervical cancer also remains among the top 10 cause of mortality in the city.

Cervical cancer,  Santos explained, is mainly correlated to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is sexually transmitted and more often happens on sexually active women with multiple partners or those who have a single partner  who  is also engaging in multiple-partner sex. It  also shows high risk among women who started to experiences sex at an early age.

It takes 20 to 25 years for the HPV virus to develop as a full blown cancer in the  cervix. Thus, Santos reiterated  the need for women to undergo regular screening through pap smear.

Pap smear is a screening test used to detect potentially pre-cancerous and cancerous processes in the endocervical canal (transformation zone) of the female reproductive system. The test remains an effective, widely used method for early detection of pre-cancer and cervical cancer.  It may  also detect infections and abnormalities in the endocervix and endometrium.

“If a person waits  for cervical cancer’s symptoms  such as  experiencing pain during sexual intercourse and bleeding or having foul odor discharge from the female sex organ (vagina) to manifest, then it may be already late or the cervical cancer may be in its advance stage which will make it harder to treat,” Santos stressed.

The DOH  regularly provides a free  pap smear  during the month of May in observance of Cervical Cancer Month.

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