Health authorities underscored that cervical cancer, which is prevalent among women, is preventable and highly treatable provided that it is detected in its early stages, an obstetrician and gynecologist said here recently.
Dr. Jimmy Billod, a medical officer of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), said cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women globally and second among the common cancer among Filipino women.
Further, he claimed that 11 Filipino women die daily because of cervical cancer and that incidents of cervical cancer among women significantly increase from age 30.
Billod disclosed that the BGHMC recorded more than 100 new cases of cervical cancer in 2022-2023 where 90 percent are in locally advanced stage which can be prevented and treated when detected in its early stage.
Among the common symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal vaginal discharge, abnormal bleeding, pain on the lower portion of the body, spotting and bleeding after sexual contact, irregular menstruation, bleeding among women that have undergone the menopausal stage, pain in the back or waist, dizziness, loss of appetite, difficulty in defecating and urinating and blood on the stool and urine.
He pointed out that cervical cancer can be detected through cervical biopsy where small tissue samples are taken from the cervix and examined for disease or other problems.
According to him, the available treatment for cervical cancer include radiation plus chemotherapy and surgery which are all available in the government tertiary hospital and accessible to all.
He emphasized the need for women to first consult with their cancer specialist so that the appropriate treatment will be recommended for them to be able to recover from the said illness, especially when detected on its early stage.
Billod explained that prevention is still the best to avoid the said type of cancer which has various complications such as expensive, complex complications such as the women not being able to bear a child, emotional and sexual effects.
Cervical cancer is caused by the human papilloma virus which is a viral infection passed between people through skin to skin contact where there are 150 types of human papillomavirus and 40 of which can be transferred through skin to skin contact.
Billod stated that all women who are sexually active are exposed to the risk of contracting cervical cancer but the risk is higher to those women who have early sexual activity, to those who have multiple partners, those who have illnesses that compromise the immune system and smoking, thus people who are aware will surely be spared from the said illness.
The medical officer narrated that for most people, their immune systems will clear the infections with no harms caused but for cervical cancer when left untreated and uncontrolled, the growth of abnormal cells can become cancer.
The World Health Organization prescribed strategies to prevent cervical cancer include the conduct of vaccination for human papilloma virus which offers long-term protection against cervical cancer aside from screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions that can also prevent pre-cancer from developing into full blown cancer.
Further, the recommended strategies include timely treatment and palliative care for invasive cervical cancer which can save lives and greatly reduce pain and suffering.
One of the recommended strategies to combat cervical cancer is the 90-70-90 where 90 percent of girls should be fully vaccinated with human papillomavirus vaccine by age 15, 70 percent of women are screened with a high performance test by 35 years of age and again by 45 years of age and 90 percent of women identified with cervical illness should receive the appropriate treatment where 90 percent of women with re-cancer will be treated and 90 percent of women with invasive cancer should be appropriately managed.
He asserted that part of the strategies to prevent cervical cancer is lifestyle change where women must learn to embrace a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition to help in combatting life-threatening illnesses that will ensure their productivity in work and in building their own families. By Dexter A. See
