YoungLIFE Women advocates unite to raise awareness on CERVICAL CANCER

By Gabriella Andrea C. Tresvalles

IN this time and age, society has begun learning to love the skins they live in and respect others’ decisions on how they want to live their lives. When it comes to using beauty products, the public has embraced the benefits of makeup and similar products in boosting their confidence and enhancing their natural beauty. After all, there’s nothing wrong with looking

According to the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, cancer is now the third leading cause of death nationwide. Some of the most common cancers among Filipinos are lung, breast, colon, rectum, and prostate. People don’t talk about cervical cancer and support the disease as much as other women’s cancers, such as breast cancer. This cancer, caused by various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), is still the second most common cancer afflicting women in the country and worldwide. As of 2020, nearly 8,000 Filipino women were diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Although it is one of the most preventable cancers, the Philippines still has the lowest rate of HPV vaccination, early preventive screenings, and diagnosis worldwide.

To raise awareness for cervical cancer in the country, healthcare company MSD Philippines held the

“Women Bloom in SolidariTeal” event at Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros, Manila, last Friday, June 9, 2023.

Women of Strength

Women from different organizations, cervical cancer survivors, and advocates came together towards the elimination of cervical cancer in the country, where Niña Corpuz, a broadcast journalist and SolidariTeal advocate, hosted an interactive talk show.

In the first part, Dr. Efren Domingo, President of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) gave some facts regarding cervical cancer and situations in the Philippines.

Then, they featured cancer survivors Isabella Fernando-Dela Cruz and Eden Guzman-Lucero to talk about life after their diagnosis.