DOH, DILG to launch organized cancer screening services in QC

THE 2023 Philippine Statistics Authority report showed that cancer ranked as the second leading cause of mortality in 2022.

Meanwhile, the Global Cancer Observatory of the World Health Organization identified the leading sites that comprised the majority of new cancer cases in the Philippines in 2022, namely: breast, lung, colon, liver, prostate, and cervical cancers.

Cervical cancer, when detected early, is curable.

With this the Department of Health (DOH) in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) supported by Jhpiego Philippines will launch the Organized Cancer Screening Services on May 10, 2024, at the DILG Central Office in Quezon City.

With the theme “Babae, Mahalaga Ka! Magpa-cancer screening, na!” the activity aims to raise awareness about cancer prevention, provide accessible screening services to eligible women, and emphasize the importance of workplace screening. It is specifically designed to address the needs of women in our communities.

The DOH said that cervical cancer is a type of cancer affecting the cervix. It is considered a preventable disease and is curable when detected early.

“However, it remains as the second most common type of cancer among Filipino women ages 15 to 44 years old,” the DOH said.

Symptoms

PATIENTS don’t usually have any symptoms during the earlier stages of the disease, according to the DOH.

By the time the individual has symptoms, the cancer may have already spread. These symptoms include:

■ Abnormal bleeding from the vagina: irregular bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, or bleeding/spotting after sex

■ Unpleasant vaginal discharge: whitish or blood-stained

■ Pain during sexual intercourse

Other symptoms which may point to a more advanced cancer include:

■ Pelvic pain

■ Difficulty urinating

■ Swelling of the legs

Screening for cervical cancer include having a Pap smear done every three years and/or an HPV test every five years.

The DOH reminded that screening should start at 30 years of age but may begin earlier especially for high risk individuals.