A group of physicians here has encouraged parents of girls aged 9-14 to get the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.

This is after the Davao Occidental General Hospital (DOGH) and the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society Southern Mindanao Chapter (POGS SMC) conducted HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening services on Thursday at the DOGH.

In a press briefing, Dr. Glinard Quezada, DOGH medical center chief, said they tapped the Department of Education to raise awareness about the vaccine’s importance.

“At first, they (the girls) are hesitant to receive the vaccine because they are afraid. That’s why we conducted a massive information drive regarding what vaccination is,” he added.

Quezada added that the public’s reluctance was due to fear and the recent vaccination they received against coronavirus disease 2019. .

“They are thinking about its effect on their health, that’s why we explain to them. As you can see, some kids have themselves vaccinated today because they understood how important the vaccine is for them,” he said.

The doctors said other causes include financial, distance, logistics, and lack of awareness.

Quezada also underscored that HPV vaccination was preventing cancer-causing infections and precancers.

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in women in the country and the fourth leading cause of death among women, POGS SMC regional director Dr. Geraldine Dela Victoria said.

“Cervical cancer is preventable and is one of the most highly treatable forms of cancer when detected and diagnosed early,” she added.

Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 8,549 new cases new cervical cancer cases were diagnosed in the Philippines in 2022 alone. Around 4,319 deaths were recorded per year.

Dr. Junette Adtoon-Ko, the president of POGS SMC, stated that cervical cancer is the third most prevalent cancer among women in the country, following breast and colorectal cancers.

In 2020, the WHO launched a global strategy to guide countries in the elimination of cervical cancer.

“This strategy highlights to end the burden of cervical cancer as a significant public health problem. Member countries must maintain an incidence below four out of 100,000 women and achieve the 90-70-90 target by 2030,” Ko added.

She said that the target means vaccinating 90 percent of girls, screening 70 percent of women, and treating 90 percent of those with cervical disease. (PNA)