Cervical Cancer Screening in the Philippines

Cervical Cancer, a medical condition caused by rapid cell division and tumor formation in the cervix, can be a scary subject. However, understanding this disease is crucial to early detection and treatment. The cervix, the lower part of the uterus, plays a vital role in women's reproductive health. This makes it essential to learn the causes, signs, symptoms, and prevention measures associated with cervical cancer.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don’t function right, divide very fast, and produce too much tissue that forms a tumor. Cervical Cancer is cancer in the cervix, the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb).

Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cases of cervical cancer.

When a woman is exposed to HPV, her immune system usually prevents the virus from causing harm. However, in a small group of women, the virus can persist for years and eventually transform some cells on the cervix's surface into cancer cells. It is worth noting that half of all cervical cancer cases occur in women aged 35 to 55.

Cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer affecting women worldwide, with approximately 500,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Tragically, every 2 minutes, a woman somewhere in the world loses her life to this devastating disease.

Cervical Cancer in the Philippines

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Filipino women. Incidence starts rising steeply at age 35. In the Philippines, late-stage diagnosis is prevalent. 56% of Filipino women with cervical cancer will die within 5 years from the time of detection and 12 Filipino women die of cervical cancer every day.

Can All HPVs Cause Cervical Cancer?

There are many types of HPV, but only cancer-causing strains could lead to cervical cancer.

Worldwide, HPV strains 16, 18, 45, and 31 together are responsible for more than 80% of cervical cancer cases.

What are the Signs of Cervical Cancer?

• Bleeding from the vagina after sexual intercourse, between menstrual periods, or post-menopause
• Vaginal discharge that is watery and bloody, potentially heavy, and accompanied by an unpleasant odor
• Pelvic pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse

What are the Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer?

These factors may increase your risk of cervical cancer:

• Many sexual partners – The more sexual partners you and your partner have had, the higher the risk of acquiring HPV becomes.
• Early sexual activity – Engaging in sexual activity before the age of 18 heightens the likelihood of contracting HPV. Immature cells appear to be more vulnerable to the precancerous alterations that can be triggered by HPV.
• Other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) – If you have additional STDs, such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, or HIV/AIDS, your likelihood of having acquired HPV also increases.
• A weak immune system – While the majority of women infected with HPV do not develop cervical cancer, there is an increased risk if you have an HPV infection, and your immune system is weakened by another health condition.
• Cigarette smoking – The precise connection between cigarette smoking and cervical cancer remains elusive. However, tobacco use escalates the likelihood of precancerous alterations and the development of cervical cancer. Smoking and HPV infection may act together to induce the onset of cervical cancer.

How Do You Test for Cervical Cancer?

Early detection of cervical cancer significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. It is recommended that all women undergo regular screening for cervical cancer and precancerous cervical changes. It's recommended to begin screening for women within three years of their first sexual activity or, at the very latest, by the age of 21.

Screening may include:

• PAP smear. During a PAP smear, your doctor will gently brush cells from your cervix, which is the narrow neck of the uterus. These cells will then be sent to a laboratory for examination, where they will be carefully analyzed for any potential abnormalities.
• HPV DNA test. Your doctor also may use a lab test called the HPV DNA test to determine whether you are infected with any of the 13 types of HPV that are most likely to lead to cervical cancer. Similar to the Pap test, the HPV DNA test requires collecting cells from the cervix for laboratory analysis. By examining the DNA within these cells, it is possible to identify high-risk strains of HPV even before observable changes occur in the cervical cells.

The HPV DNA test is not a substitute for regular Pap screening, and it's not used to screen women under 30 with normal Pap results. In this age group, most HPV infections go away on their own and are not linked to cervical cancer.

Begin testing about 3 years after the start of sexual activity but not earlier than 21. We recommend getting a Pap smear every year until age 30. After age 30, if you have had 3 consecutive normal results on annual PAP smears, you can be rescreened every 2 to 3 years instead of annually. Screening may be done if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain, sores, or itching.

The risk of developing cervical cancer is three to ten times greater in women who have not been screened.

How is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed?

If you experience signs and symptoms of cervical cancer if a Pap test has revealed cancerous cells or the HPV DNA Test is positive (+), you may undergo further tests to diagnose your cancer. To make a diagnosis, your doctor may ask for a colposcopy. A colposcopy is an examination of your cervix. During the exam, your doctor uses a special microscope (colposcope) to examine your cervix for abnormal cells. If your doctor identifies unusual areas, he or she may take a small sample of cells for analysis (biopsy).

How Do You Prevent Cervical Cancer?

Taking steps to prevent HPV infection can greatly reduce your risk of cervical cancer. Remember, HPV can spread through skin-to-skin contact with any infected part of the body, not just through intercourse. To lower your chances of contracting HPV, make sure to use a condom every time you engage in sexual activity.

In addition to using condoms, the best tips for cervical cancer prevention are to:

• Delay first intercourse
• Have fewer sexual partners
• Avoid smoking

Get Vaccinated Against HPV

A new vaccine offers protection from the most dangerous types of HPV. The routine vaccination for girls is as follows:

• Ages 11 and 12, as well as girls
• Women ages 13 to 26 if they haven't received the vaccine already.

The vaccine is most effective if given to girls before they become sexually active.

Have Routine Pap Tests

An initial Pap test within three years of when you begin having sex or at age 21, whichever comes first.

AUGUSTO P. SARMIENTO CANCER INSTITUTE
Tel. No.: (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 ext. 6214

WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE CENTER

Tel. No.: (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 ext. 6336