DAVAO CITY — In celebration of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the Department of Health in partnership with the City Health Office will conduct a cervical cancer screening activity on May 9 at the Davao City Recreational Center.
Dr. Julinda Acosta, chief of the health office technical division during the press forum I-Speak said the activity will involve visual inspection using acetic acid (VIA), which is an alternative to Pap smear,” said Dr. Julinda Acosta, Chief of the CHO-Technical Division, during the I-Speak Media Forum on Thursday.
The activity will also include screening tests for HIV, HPV (human papillomavirus) for women ages 30 to 65 years old, and vaccines will be given.
Acosta said HPV and sexually transmitted infections are some of the main causes of cervical cancer.
Girls aged 9 to 14 years old are urged to avail themselves of the HPV vaccine. According to Acosta, women who are not yet sexually active are the most ideal recipient of the HPV vaccine as this will help protect them from contracting the virus.
Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women in the Philippines.
In 2023, a total of 88 women died due to cervical cancer in Davao City. For the first quarter of this year alone, a total of 13 women have succumbed to the disease.
The Cervical Cancer Awareness Month activity will start at 7 a.m. and will end at 3 p.m.
