DOH-CAR steps up cervical cancer campaign

May 4, 2024 | By Vanya Danyella Barachita

DOH-CAR Nurse Cherrie Caluza shares the department's plans to increase the number of women who get screened for cervical cancer. (Facebook screenshot/Department of Health - Cordillera)

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) plans to intensify its campaign to address the low number of women in the region getting screened for cervical cancer.

DOH Nurse Cherrie Caluza said on a media forum on Thursday, April 9, that the department will be launching programs from June to August to enlighten women on cervical cancer and to train health workers to conduct tests. 

Caluza emphasized the importance of early detection and diagnosis in treating cervical cancer effectively, highlighting it as a highly treatable form of cancer when identified early . 

In 2023, CAR only tested 2,769 women, merely 0.49% of the 560,344 women in the region.

To maximize the impact of the screening program, at least 70% of the population should be screened.

“Kailangan pa nating paigtingin ang ating detection for cervical cancer because sinasabi nga po ng ating national government na para ma-cover ang isang population for certain diseases, at least 70% of at-risk population po natin is dapat na-de-detect po natin and ma-i-immunize po natin,” said Caluza.

The DOH targets to screen 5% or at least 112,000 women aged 20 years old and above by the end of 2024. This intensified campaign aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal of screening 70% of eligible women by 2030 while reducing new cases to less than four per 100,000 women.

The campaign will feature provincial and city launch activities in May and social media campaigns to boost awareness.

DOH also plans to integrate cervical cancer screening in other medical services such as breast self-exam education, HPV vaccination, and HIV/STI services.

In total, 47 facilities, including 41 rural health units and six other healthcare facilities, will be involved in providing cervical cancer screening services across the region.