SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon (PIA) — Over 900 women in this province were screened for cervical cancer as part of the initiatives undertaken during its participation in the government’s 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW).
Sorsogon Provincial Gender and Development Officer Cristina Jamoralin said the clients who underwent cervical cancer screening came from the provincial government, national government agencies, various municipalities, and the city of Sorsogon.
A woman submits herself to Pap smear to know that she is free from cervical cancer. (Photo: Dondon Arellano)
There were also walk-in clients, including students.
“As cervical cancer can be detected through a pap smear, we do a call to action for sexually active women in Sorsogon aged 20 and above to avail (themselves) of the free pap smear,” Jamoralin said.
Jamoralin said they give free pap smear taking into account women’s health and self-care as their priority.
“A woman who suffers from any disease or illness affects all aspects of her health, including sexual function and physical wellbeing,” she said.
These Sorsoganon women wait for their turn for free Pap smear, a screening process to test cervical cancer. (Photo: Cristina Jamoralin, Provincial Gender And Development Office)
“Cervical cancer runs in our family. When I heard from a co-worker that a free pap smear is offered here, I immediately submitted myself to make sure that I am free from the said cancer and know better how I could make myself safer,” said a patient who asked not to be named to protect her personal health information.
Photo: Cristina Jamoralin (Prov’l GAD Office)
Jamoralin emphasized that Filipino women aged 15 years and above face the risk of developing cervical cancer, making it the second most common cancer among women in the country.
Every year, an estimated 7,900 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,052 die from the disease, the Human Papillomavirus 2023 fact sheet revealed.
During the free pap smear activity, the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines administered the screening process to look for precancers, and cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.
Speculum. This widens the vaginal walls so that the provider can examine the cervix. It is most commonly used during Pap smears, and also used in many other gynecological procedures. (Photo: Cristina Jamoralin, Provincial GAD Office)
During a pap smear, also called a pap test, a sample of cells from the cervix is collected using a small cone-shaped brush and a tiny plastic spatula. The brush and spatula are rinsed in a liquid-filled vial and brought to a laboratory for testing. It also uses speculum in order to examine the cervix.
The 18-Day Campaign to End VAW is an advocacy campaign that is observed annually from November 25 to December 12 as mandated by Proclamation 1172. (PIA Sorsogon)
