Cebu City eyes Mass Vaccination Campaigns against CERVICAL CANCER

By Miong - Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Cebu City Mayor Michael "Mike" L. Rama shares that they appreciate the significant role women play in their city’s development, and as a result, they recognize the need for protecting Cebuano women against diseases such as Cervical Cancer. “Through Programs such as Disease Awareness and Mass Vaccination Campaigns, we believe that we can give them ample support against the threat of Cervical Cancer.” This is Cebu City's Prevention activites made known vis-a-vis of The International Womens Day that hundered of Cebuanas are celebrating at Cebu City Hall Plaza, Sinugbu Inner Grounds. Cervical Cancer, the second most common cancer among women today.
What is CERVICAL CANCER? its Symptoms?
Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the Cervix Uteri or Cervical Area. It may present with vaginal bleeding, but symptoms may be absent until the cancer is in its advanced stages.Treatment consists of surgery (including local excision) in early stages and Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in advanced stages of the disease. (fromWikipedia.org)

(L-R) Abbygale Arenas former Binibing Pilipinas titlist, Pia Magalona, wife of Francis Magalona, Dr. Belinda Pañares of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and Derrick Sim of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) talk to Cebu Media nd Bloggers about Cervical Cancer and its Prevention.
Worldwide, cervical cancer kills one woman every 2 minutes. 12 Filipinas die of cervical cancer everyday. It’s also the 2nd biggest cause of female cancer mortality in the Philippines. Cervical cancer is caused by certain type of virus called human papillomavirus (HPV)
What causes of Cervical Cancer? About HPV Virus.
HPV Virus causes Cervical Cancer amon woman. There are about 100 known types of HPV, of which 15 can cause cervical cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are the most common cancer-causing virus types and account for over 70% of all cervical cancer cases worldwide.
How HPV Virus are acquired and where HPV came from?
Women can have an HPV infection regardless of their age or lifestyle. Aside from engaging in Sexual Intercourse, you can also get HPV from Skin-to-Skin contact (rubbing) of genitals even without sexual penetration. You can also get it from prolonged exposure and direct contact with objects or materials that carry the infection, such as towels, clothing, and the like. Most HPV infections heal on their own; but this doesn’t apply to all cases. When an HPV infection persists, it could develop into cervical cancer.
How is Cervical Cancer can be prevented?
Pap smear screening can identify potentially precancerous changes. Treatment of high grade changes can prevent the development of cancer. In developed countries, the widespread use of cervical screening programs has reduced the incidence of invasive cervical cancer by 50% or more (from wikipedia.org)
Prevention of Cervical Cancer by Single Visit Approach (SVA)
Single Visit Approach (SVA) : This combines both screening and treatment in one session. It uses an effective, low-resource screening method called the Visual Inspection using Acetic Acid (VIA)--a simple technique that uses vinegar to detect precancerous lesions on the cervix.
Prevention of Cervical Cancer by CRYOTHERAPHY
CRYOTHERAPHY: A process where the areas with lesions are frozen using a common liquid coolant like carbon dioxide, effectively eliminating the abnormality and preventing possible progression to cancer.
Prevention of Cervical Cancer by VACCINATION
VACCINATION: There are now vaccines available against cancer-causing HPV types 16 and 18. Along with regular screening, getting vaccinated can reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer by 94%.
For young girls between 15-25 years old, long-lasting protection is necessary because this is when they will be the most prone to the HPV virus. However, that doesn’t mean that women under or beyond that age bracket are safe. An HPV vaccination should provide long-term protection for all women, since they will be vulnerable to HPV infection throughout their lives
Be aware of the dangers posed by Cervical Cancer as well as the effective strategies for its prevention. With sufficient awareness, surveillance, advocacy and prevention, the next two minutes won’t have to be the last for anyone, especially for the women around you.
Photos by Jorich Ponio (beyond-the-norms.org)
Cebu City Vaccination Program against CERVICAL CANCER posted at Cebu Events Blog

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