CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) – The Provincial Health Office has recently conducted cervical cancer screening for female employees of the provincial government as well as spouses of the provincial capitol’s male employees.
The initiative was rolled out under the provincial government’s Gender and Development Focal Point System. The activity also reenforced the cervical cancer screening services being offered by the Rural Health Unit of Catarman (RHU Catarman).
Any woman can now access to free cervical cancer screening through a Single Visit Approach-Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid,” said Dr. Dana Noroña, medical officer of RHU Catarman.
“We encourage and promote cervical cancer screening for women ages 25 to 65 years because this is the second top leading cancer in women, the first is breast cancer,” said Noroña.
In 2023, a total of 4,836 women were screened in Catarman of which 54 were found out to be positive while five were diagnosed as having cervical cancer.
Three of the screened women later died.
Noroña said the deaths would have been prevented if they were diagnosed and treated early.
She shared that every woman is at risk of cervical cancer, particularly those who had sex at an early age, those with multiple sexual partners or those whose partner have multiple sexual partners.
Women who have given multiple births, those who smoke or have sexually transmitted infections, and those who have been taking birth control pills are also at risk for cervical cancer.
Dr. Dana Noroña, Medical Officer V of the Rural health Unit of Catarman discussed and answered queries about the Cervical Cancer Screening program. (Photo by PIA Northern Samar)
Most of the time, women were diagnosed already at a late stage as this kind of cancer has no symptoms early on, and that is why early detection is better because cervical cancer is preventable, detectable, and treatable, she added.
“I am already 60 years old and a widow but still at risk, so, I will submit myself for this cervical cancer screening for my peace of mind. I want to be assured safe from cervical infection,” said Sylma Lutao, one of the interested individuals willing to undergo the test.
Aside from these collaborations, LGU Catarman through its Rural Health Unit offers free services from Mondays to Fridays and accepts walk-in clients for cervical cancer screening. (MMP/ADiaz/PIA Northern Samar)
The screening team composed of Rural Health Unit personnel of the local government of Catarman led by Dr. Dana Noroña. (Photo by PIA Northern Samar)
