Launch of initiative aimed at eradicating cervical cancer

Launch of initiative aimed at eradicating cervical cancer

Heads Up! Cervical Cancer Elimination Campaign Kicks Off in Cebu City

Ladies of Cebu City, brace yourselves for some exciting health news! The Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) and the Department of Health (DOH) Region 7, joined forces with Jhpiego Philippines, to launch the Cervical Cancer Elimination (CCE) Campaign on May 8, 2025. This groundbreaking initiative aims to combat one of the leading causes of death among Filipino women and to drastically reduce cervical cancer mortality rates [1][2].

The Team Behind the Scenes

This collective effort involves strategic partnerships with organizations like Jhpiego Philippines, who played a massive role in training CCHD staff, and Olivia Rodrigo’s Fund 4 Good, fueled by the earnings from her GUTS World Tour in the Philippines. The Centralized Model for HPV DNA Screening (CLAMS) Project, utilizing the Cobas system, is another supporting tool in the campaign's arsenal [2].

Bringing Essential Services to the Doorstep

This initiative is all about making life-saving services easily accessible for Cebu City women. To achieve this, they've established three primary treatment hubs: the CCHD, the Kinasang-an Health Center, and the Lahug Birthing and Health Center, covering both southern and northern areas of the city [1].

Educating and Empowering Women

The program emphasizes empowering women to take charge of their health, starting with primary prevention through vaccinations for individuals aged nine to 13. However, the critical aspect is early detection, which this campaign addresses through free secondary screens [1]. Tertiary prevention, focusing on slowing or halting the disease's progression, will also be provided when necessary.

Raising Awareness, Saving Lives

Cervical cancer is a substantial threat, particularly for HIV-positive women, despite its preventability. With approximately 12 women dying daily in the Philippines due to low screening rates and delayed treatment, the CCE Campaign hopes to make significant strides in reducing mortality rates [2].

By offering free screenings and education directly to barangays, the campaign ensures that women from all socioeconomic backgrounds have a chance to learn about cervical cancer prevention and early detection [1]. This targeted approach brings crucial services closer to where they're needed most.

References:

1. ABS-CBN News
2. Cebu Daily News
3. The Cervical Cancer Elimination (CCE) Campaign in Cebu City targets to drastically reduce the mortality rates of cervical cancer, a leading cause of death among Filipino women.
4. The CCE Campaign partners with several organizations like Jhpiego Philippines, who provide training for Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) staff, and Olivia Rodrigo’s Fund 4 Good, to combat cervical cancer more effectively.
5. The campaign aims to empower women by offering free screenings and education on cervical cancer prevention and early detection, ensuring all socioeconomic backgrounds have access to these essential health and wellness services.
6. Women's health is at the forefront of the CCE Campaign, as early detection and education are crucial components to fighting cervical cancer, though vaccinations for individuals aged nine to 13 and tertiary prevention when necessary are also promoted.

Read also: