The biggest tragedy of cervical cancer is that our women are dying from a disease we know how to prevent, detect, and treat," emphasizes Dr. Herdee Gloriane C. Luna, Medical Oncologist and the Executive Action Team - Oncology Manager of the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS).
As part of the PCS Initiatives to promote Cancer Awareness Education, Dr. Luna stepped onto the center stage of UNTV’s Good Morning Kuya with hosts Ms. Celine Ang and Joshua Dionisio to sound the alarm on a crisis hitting Filipino homes every single day.
The Stark Reality: 12 Filipinas Lost Daily
Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among Filipino women. Every year, approximately 7,897 new cases are diagnosed, and 4,052 women lose their lives.
"This means we are losing roughly 12 Filipinas every single day," Dr. Luna points out. "But what breaks our hearts as oncologists is that early-stage cervical cancer and precancerous lesions usually show absolutely zero symptoms. If you wait for abnormal bleeding or pain before getting checked, the cancer may have already advanced."
Driven by continuous high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection (specifically types 16 and 18), this disease takes 10 to 20 years to progress from an initial infection to invasive cancer. This long timeline gives us a massive window of opportunity to intervene—yet, the Philippines has one of the lowest screening rates in the world, with only 1% of Filipino women getting regularly screened.
️Dr. Luna’s Three-Tiered Roadmap to Elimination
Through the Philippine Cancer Society's educational campaigns, Dr. Luna lays down a clear, actionable guide for every Filipina and their families:
- Primary Prevention (The HPV Vaccine): Protect the next generation early. The Department of Health (DOH) offers FREE HPV vaccines for qualified Grade 4 students in public schools.
- Secondary Prevention (Regular Screening): Do not wait for symptoms. Women can avail of Pap Smears, HPV Tests, or the highly accessible Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA). VIA uses diluted vinegar to detect changes and is readily available, often for free or at low cost, in local government health centers.
- Tertiary Care & Financial Navigation: If diagnosed, hope is not lost. While private sector treatments can be heavy on the pocket, Dr. Luna highlights that PhilHealth’s Z-Benefits Package covers early-stage cervical cancer, providing financial assistance from PHP 120,000 to PHP 175,000 for chemoradiation treatments. Initial screenings are also covered under the PhilHealth Konsulta primary care package.
A Message of Strength from the Philippine Cancer Society
Under the leadership of PCS President Dr. Corazon Ngelangel and through the dedicated action of teams led by Dr. Luna, the Philippine Cancer Society is working tirelessly to reach a future free of cancer.
With aggressive vaccination, scaled-up screening, and timely access to treatment, the Philippines can realistically aim to eliminate cervical cancer before 2063, potentially saving close to a million lives. "A simple screening can save your life. Talk to your doctors. Let's share this knowledge with our mothers, daughters, and sisters."
