Group underlines cervical cancer
CEBU, Philippines - Former Beauty queen Abbygale Arenas-de Leon, president of the Braveheart Coalition, a non-profit organization, visited Mandaue City and spoke the other day before a women’s summit to raise awareness of cervical cancer.
She said with 12 Filipino women succumbing to cervical cancer every day, women should get themselves vaccinated against the disease.
She said cervical cancer is the first kind of a disease that can be prevented through vaccination.
Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Filipino women, next to breast cancer, said de Leon.
“Every woman is at risk,” she said, adding that the disease often has no signs or symptoms.
De Leon said there are three ways to prevent cervical cancer: awareness, screening, and vaccination.
The vaccine is administered in three doses, with each does costing a few thousands.
The Braveheart Coalition, which was formed in 2007, is tapping corporate sponsors and government agencies to make the vaccine accessible to women.
The group hopes to work with the Department of Health next year, said De Leon.
The disease is caused by human papillomavirus or HPV, which can be transmitted not only through sex but also through skin-to-skin contact of genital areas.
The Braveheart Coalition works with the Glaxo SmithKline, which produces a vaccine against cervical cancer.
De Leon said they have been going around the country to spread awareness about cervical cancer, for five years. (FREEMAN)
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