How to prevent cervical cancer

MANILA - Cervical cancer is considered as one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the Philippines, despite being one of the easiest to prevent.

Around 6,700 cases of cervical cancer were reported in the Philippines in 2015. Of this number, around 3,000 or 50 percent of patients died of the said illness.

In an interview on DZMM, Dr. Joy Garcia, an obstetrician-gynecologist and oncologist, said that unlike in first world countries like the US, the number of cervical cancer-related deaths are high in the Philippines.

Cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which can spread through all forms of sexual contact.

"Ang cervical cancer, ang nagsasanhi nito ay 'yung tinatawag natin na HPV. Ang HPV is short for human papillomavirus. Itong virus na 'to ay nakukuha sa pakikipagtalik, iba't ibang uri ng pakikipagtalik," Garcia explained.

HPV also tends to be asymptomatic, with symptoms only showing after 10 to 15 years after a person gets infected.

"Ang una kasing gagawin, 'pag kunyari nahawa tayo ng virus na 'to, 'yung resistensiya natin, mapaalis 'yung virus sa katawan natin. Pero kung kunyari mahina 'yung resistensiya ng babae, o kaya ang daming virus na nailipat sa atin, mananatili 'yung virus na 'yun, at later on, siguro in 10 to 15 years, magkakaroon ng cervical cancer," Garcia added.

The doctor also lamented how cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the Philippines, considering that it is very easy to prevent.

"Bago pa maging cancer, dadaan pa siya sa pre-cancer. May sakit na ang cervix, pero hindi pa siya cancer. At itong sakit na ito na pre-cancer, napakadaling gamutin," Garcia said.

"Dito kasi sa Philippines, marami pa rin ang hindi alam kung gaano kaimportante 'yung paano siya iiwasan, at paano siya mahuhuli ng maaga," she added.

A woman should also get tested three years after her first sexual experience.

"Lahat ng kababaihan, dapat alam nila na once magkaroon na sila ng karanasan sa pakikipagtalik, dapat alam na nila na nagpapa-pap smear sila taon-taon until 65 to 70 years old," Garcia said, adding that women as young as 21 years old can get a pap smear.

Aside from getting a pap smear, a woman can also undergo HPV DNA testing, and get a vaccine against HPV to prevent cervical cancer.

Just like any other kinds of cancer, early detection can lead to early treatment.

Those infected with HPV can undergo surgery or total hysterectomy, depending on the severity of the infections.

"Kung surgery, pwedeng may tinatanggal sa part ng cervix, pwedeng total hysterectomy. 'Pag tapyas lang, part lang ng cervix 'yung aalisin, may chance pang magbuntis at manganak ang babae," Garcia said.

Women who underwent hysterectomy and radiation therapy, however, will lose their ability to bear children.

Smoking and taking oral contraception also increase the risk of cervical cancer, according to Garcia.

"So kunyari nakipagtalik ako, nahawa ako nung virus. Kung smoker ako, mas lalong dumidikit 'yung virus sa cervix ko. Kung matagal akong gumagamit ng oral contraception o pills para hindi mabuntis, mas dumidikit 'yung virus sa cervix ko. Mas nahihirapan 'yung katawan kong paalisin 'yung virus sa katawan ko."

Although men are often carriers of HPV, there are only very few men who get infected with it.

"Carrier ang lalaki, pero hindi sila favorite nung virus. Pwede rin silang mag-penile cancer dahil sa HPV, pero hindi kasing taas, kasing favorite ng cervix."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why you should be concerned about cervical cancer

MANILA — Regardless of social status, age and lifestyle, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipinas. To exacerbate the situation, two in three Filipinas diagnosed with cervical cancer may die within five years.

The World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (WHO-SAGE) on Immunization stressed the importance getting girls protected from cervical cancer through HPV immunization before their first exposure to HPV (i.e. before sexual contact), as young as nine years old.

The Geneva, Switzerland-based organization said the risk of persistent infection with cancer-causing HPV (which is necessary for cervical cancer to develop) gets higher with age, and is highest when a woman is over 66 years old.

The organization urged regular screening starting age 21 to detect cervical abnormalities that precede actual cervical cancer. Vaccination is also recommended for older women to prevent new HPV infections.

To counter the threat of cervical cancer in the country, cosmetic manufacturer VMV Hypoallergenic formed a partnership with GSK Philippines to spread awareness on the dangers posed by cervical cancer.

“We are fully committed toward this partnership with GSK Philippines. At VMV Hypoallergenics, we promise the safest, most proven effective care on the planet — and that extends to beauty. This unique combination of science, wellness and beauty means we also strongly stand for advocacies that help women, their health and happiness," said Jacklyn Remo, assistant marketing manager for VMV Hypoallergenics.

GSK continues to boost its cervical cancer awareness efforts this year. In the Philippines, the Power Over Cervical Cancer campaign urges Filipinas to realize that they are empowered and can do something to prevent the disease.

Popular hosts Andi Manzano-Reyes and Ginger Conejero graced the occasion.

In commemoration of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, GSK Philippines and VMV launched their campaign recently in Makati called Put On Your Power Pout.

The partnership introduced a twist on spreading awareness: encouraging women to join the movement by wearing purple lipstick to show their support for the advocacy on cervical cancer prevention.

“Cancer is quite a distant concept for women who are well. What might be more important to them is keeping up with the latest trends, especially in fashion and beauty. The lipstick is a woman’s own — when she wears it, she makes a statement about herself. Through this partnership with VMV, we hope to drive women to make a statement against cervical cancer,” said Mark Castillo, GSK product manager.

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and spread in the cervix, the entrance between the vagina and the uterus. The human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus, is the necessary cause of cervical cancer. It has been shown that 99.7% of cervical cancer patients are positive for HPV infection. It is also estimated that up to 80% of women will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives.

While HPV is primarily transmitted via sexual intercourse, skin-to-skin genital contact is also a recognized mode of transmission.

Lifestyle changes can help prevent the development of cervical cancer, such as being conscientious about one’s sexual activities. Beyond regular consultations and pap smears by your OB-GYN, vaccines that protect against cancer-causing HPV are also now readily available.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Moesha' actress Yvette Wilson dies at age 48

LOS ANGELES - Actress Yvette Wilson, best known for her role in 1990s TV comedy "Moesha," has died at age 48 after a long battle with cervical cancer, a close friend of the actress said on Friday.

Wilson, who also appeared in the TV series "The Parkers" and the movie "House Party 2", suffered kidney failure and had undergone a kidney transplant before her cancer returned recently after several years in remission, Jeffrey Pittle said.

Pittle made the announcement on a website he had set up to raise funds for Wilson's medical treatment.

"It is with a heavy heart that I can verify that Yvette passed away last evening after a lengthy and hard battle. She was a fighter to the end, and her talent, humor and amazing friendship will be sorely missed. She will live on through her awesome body of work. I would ask that you continue to donate on this page to support her family in this trying and sad time," Pittle wrote on the Giveforward.com website.

Wilson's "Moesha" co-star Shar Jackson said on Twitter on Thursday "Oh god...My heart is soooo unbelievably broken," adding later "I wanna thank all my tweeties for their prayers but god has chosen to take my sister Yvette home...".

Los Angeles-born Wilson began her career as a stand-up comedian and played Andell Wilkerson, owner of a neighborhood teen hangout in the 1996-2000 comedy "Moesha" which starred singer Brandy Norwood. She went on to appear in the spin-off TV show "The Parkers" and HBO's "Def Comedy Jam." -Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com