12 Pinays die of cervical cancer every day – DOH

About 12 women in the Philippines die daily because of cervical cancer, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

In an interview aired on GMA News TV's “Balitanghali” Wednesday afternoon, Health Undersecretary Janette Garin said among the leading factors for developing cervical cancer are exposure to sex at a very early age and having multiple sexual partners.
 

Garin said having genital warts is also an early sign of predisposition to this disease.

“Theoretically, ang isang nakikitang malaking posibilidad, ay 'yung early age of sexual contact. Ibig sabihin, sa murang edad, kung hindi pa ganun ka-mature ang iyong katawan ay nagkaroon na ng foreign penetration. The multiple sexual partners, not at all times, kasama din dun (sa factors) at saka 'yung pagtra-transmit ng genital warts,” Garin said.

Also dubbed as a “silent killer,” cervical cancer usually does not manifest until the mutation of cancer cells reach the advanced stage, Garin said.

Such was the case of cervical cancer patient Gina Pahunang, a former caregiver in Taiwan.

It was in August of last year when Pahunang went back to the country aftter experiencing severe pain especially on her back, hips and buttocks.

“Una kasi, lahat ng clinic dito, nagpapa-check up ako, hindi nila nakikita. Masakit 'yung likod ko, hanggang sa dito na sa pigi ko masakit. Hindi ako makatulog. Naka limang ultrasound ako, e magkano ang isang ultrasound, 'di ba ang mahal?” Pahunang said.

She said it was only when she had a Pap smear that it was detected that she has stage 3 cervical cancer, which quickly developed into stage 4 late last year. Now, both of Pahunang's kidneys are no longer functioning.

“Sobrang sakit po. Hindi ko po alam paano ako gagaling. Pinapagdasal ko po na gumaling pa rin ako kasi gusto ko pa po makasama ang anak ko,” Pahunang said.

As the country is set to celebrate Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in May, the DOH aims to encourage more women to undergo cervical screening tests such as Pap smear and ultrasound as well as to get vaccine shots against human papillomavirus or HPV.

“Kung may nararamdaman na o may sakit na saka pa lang nagpapakonsulta...It's really good to have your regular checkup, like 'yung pagpapa-Pap smear,” Garin said.

“Oftentimes 'yung nanay na posibleng magkaroon ng cervical cancer may trabaho, pwe-pwedeng mawalan ng source of income. So it is also draining on the pocket of the family,” Garin added.

Women aged nine or higher can get HPV vaccine shots in health centers and hospitals ranging from P3,000 to P15,000 per shot.

Women are advised to get three vaccine shots to fully maximize the benefits, as HPV vaccine not only prevents the development of cancer cells but also the spread of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Garin however encouraged parents to advise their children to engage in sex at the right age.

“Kung wala pang (sexual) exposure 'yung bata, mas nagkakaroon siya ng antibodies to protect herself,” Garin said. — Elizabeth Marcelo/ELR/KG, GMA News