In a pioneering effort to put an end to the deadly cervical cancer, which kills 12 Filipino women every day, a one-of-a-kind vaccination roadshow was launched in the District 1 of Quezon City to combat human papillomavirus (HPV).
Quezon City District 1 Councilor Charm Ferrer and her daughter Chloe, (center) lead the ceremonial HPV vaccination for girls aged 9-14 at Barangay Bahay Toro, empowering young women and promoting community health.
The 5-week initiative, which started July 9 and runs every Tuesday until August 6, is the first of its kind among local governments in the Philippines, aiming to bring essential immunization services directly to the community through an innovative mobile roadshow format.
By making vaccines accessible to hundreds of young girls in Quezon City aged 9 to 14, the program supported by the Quezon City government, Quezon City Health Office and barangay captains of District 1, underscores the importance of preventive healthcare in reducing the incidence and impact of cervical cancer.
Councilor Charm Ferrer, a cervical cancer survivor and public health advocate, shared her cancer journey and encouraged mothers to make an important decision for the benefit of their daughter’s health. She emphasized that cervical cancer is preventable through vaccination.
Quezon City District 1 Councilor Charm Ferrer, who is cervical cancer survivor herself, led the launching and underscored the importance of the fight against HPV.
“Sobrang hirap po magkaroon ng cervical cancer. Nag-undergo po ako ng six chemotherapies and 32 radiation therapies. Now as a public official, it is my duty to ensure the health and well-being of my constituents. With this landmark initiative, we will ensure that all our adolescent girls in Quezon City will be vaccinated. We support Mayor Joy Belmonte’s vision of road to zero cervical cancer in Quezon City,” Councilor Ferrer said during the launch.
“Cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination and screening. By taking concerted action as one community against HPV, we can ultimately eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem,” she added.
Global and Nat’l Health Burden
Cervical cancer remains a significant health burden, particularly in Asia, where it accounts for 58% of global deaths from the disease. In the Philippines alone, at least 12 women die daily from cervical cancer, making it the second most frequent cancer among women aged 15 to 44.
Dr. Erwin De Mesa, a leading OB-oncologist from the Philippine Gynecology Society, gave a lecture on what HPV is and its effects on the human body.
The financial and emotional toll on affected families and the broader community is immense. However, cervical cancer is a type of cancer that is highly preventable. The combination of HPV vaccination and cervical screening can provide the greatest protection against this disease.
“Napakapalad natin at may ganitong proyekto para sa mga kabataan para makaiwas sa cervical cancer. Siguro kung meron lang nito noong mga 80s or 90s, baka konti lang ang maysakit ng cervical cancer na naging dahilan ng kanilang kamatayan, isa sa kanila ang panganay kong kapatid na babae,” said Kagawad Marissa Reyes, Barangay Bahay Toro Health Committee Chairperson.
Over 200 participants attended the kickoff event, including representatives from various community organizations, barangay and city health departments, civil society groups, and the private sector.
“This is a significant milestone in our fight against cervical cancer. This is a moment of hope, empowerment, and making a difference. We can create a future where cervical cancer is a thing of the past,” Dr. Lani Buendia, Quezon City National Immunization Program Medical Coordinator.
The HPV vaccination roadshow supports the Department of Health’s fight against cervical cancer, which calls for collective action to protect every Filipino woman by making healthcare services and vaccines accessible to all communities.
Multi-sectoral collaboration to strengthen our ‘Kalasag ng Kalusugan’.
During the launch, less than 100 adolescent girls vaccinated were vaccinated against and 31 female adult were screened for cervical cancer. The next legs of the HPV vaccination roadshow aims to vaccinate hundreds more of target school girls and continue to provide breast and cervical cancer screenings to adults.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set ambitious global targets to eliminate cervical cancer, including vaccinating 90% of girls with the HPV vaccine by age 15, screening 70% of women by ages 35 and 45, and ensuring 90% of women with pre-cancer or invasive cancer receive appropriate treatment. Achieving these goals requires a multi-sectoral approach involving individuals, families, communities, civil society, and government agencies.
ADVT.
This article is brought to you by Cervical Cancer Elimination.