Cebu eyes Guinness record for mass cervical cancer screening

CEBU CITY — Cebu will gun for a world record when the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) tries to gather more than 1,000 women for cervical cancer screening.

The attempt to break into the Guinness World Book of Records will take place on May 20 at the Consolacion National High School in Consolacion town, Cebu.

Dr. Pherdes Galbo, coordinator of POGSCebu, said they plan to gather 1,200 women for free cervical screening using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIAA), a procedure that can detect the presence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer.

India holds the current Guinness record for most women who took cervical cancer screening at 741.

Cebu has actually topped India’s record since POGS started the program in 2016.

The first-ever mass screening held in Cebu City drew 805 women, while 905 women underwent the same test in 2017 in Lapu-Lapu City.

POGS, however, didn’t ask Guinness to validate the turnout of the first two editions to save funds.

The mass screening is part of the events lined up for Scarlet May Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women. It usually affects women aged 30-45.

According to Dr. Catherine Timbal, Medical Officer IV of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), the youngest patient to have been diagnosed with cervical cancer was 22.

Cervical cancer is considered a silent killer as the symptoms usually manifest 10 to 20 years after the infection.

POGS said the cancer can be prevented by observing safe sex, quitting smoking and having an annual pap smear or VIAA.

It advised women to undergo a pap smear every three years once they reach 21 years old.

For the whole month of May, there will be a free screening from Monday to Friday at VSMMC. (Calvin D. Cordova with a report from Precy Jane Navarro, CNU Intern)