Last November 14, three organizational communication students, in partnership with the Philippine Cancer Society and DLSU Health Services Office conducted a Cervical Cancer Awareness and Prevention event at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall Grounds and Enrique Razon Sports Complex clinic. The event was held in order to discuss the realities behind cervical cancer, to promote further awareness on the disease, and to emphasize the importance of early testing.
The quiet killer
Although cervical cancer is the second deadliest cancer among women, it is considered to be highly treatable and preventable. It is also known to be undetectable, and no signs or symptoms would present itself throughout the progression of the disease. According to doctors, the only way to diagnose a patient is through check-ups and testing.
The disease begins with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is more commonly known as the strand of virus that causes “warts” or papillomas along infected areas. HPV may lead to different types of cancers, but is more likely to lead to cervical cancer.
Aside from cervical cancer, HPV can also be a root cause of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which may also lead to cervical cancer. HPV can also be contracted through sexual intercourse and hereditary means.
Preventive measures
Due to the difficulty of detecting the virus, one can only be diagnosed through regular check-ups and screenings. Sherann Vega, a 24-year old stage 2B cervical cancer patient who shared her insights during the event, explains that the disease will never physically reveal itself in any way, unless the individual gets tested.
Pap-smear is the assigned testing procedure for cervical cancer. Michiko Alejandro (VII, AB-OCM), one of the students who helped organize the event, states that the testing process is naturally harmless. She highlights that people often get intimidated with the screening process. It is generally uncomfortable, and the process itself is relatively quick.
Alejandro emphasizes that it is best to get tested as early as possible in order for the immunization to properly take place. The older the patient is, the less likely the immunization will be as effective. She also highlights that, although the immunization process is lengthy, it is better to take precautionary measures as soon as possible for the disease to develop slower.
Next steps
According to project heads Dorothy Jarantilla (VI, AB-OCM), Kat Sumayao (VI, AB-OCM), and Alejandro, the seminar was made to shed light on the reality of the disease.
“Cervical cancer is the second deadliest cancer among women, and despite that, wala rin masyadong nag-uusap about it. That is why we chose to promote awareness with cervical cancer,” Alejandro shares. Aside from the seminar, game booths were also set up to further educate the people and to break the common misconceptions on cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer awareness still has a long way to go, especially among college students. Although it may be a relatively small event, Alejandro emphasizes that social media would be a great factor to spread the awareness on cervical cancer.
