BMC offers free test for cervical cancer

By Mavic Conde

The Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City is inviting women ages 30-49 years old to avail the free HPV DNA testing to prevent cervical cancer.

"HPV DNA Testing is a screening test for cervical cancer. This may be done through self collection or provided assisted collection," the BMC announcement posted on its Facebook page said.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is "transmitted through sexual contact and a large majority of cervical cancer (more than 95%) is due to the HPV," according to the World Health Organization.

The SUCCESS Team, also known as the Scale Up Cervical Cancer Elimination with Secondary Prevention Strategy Team, started this initiative on Feb. 14 this year. It will continue to be available Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 AM at the BMC OB Clinic at the Out-Patient Department (OPD).

Requirements prior to testing include "No sexual contact for 3 days" and "At least 5 days from the last day of menstruation."

In a 2020 research by the Journal Global Health Reports, it found that "cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the Philippines." It added that "a screen-and-treat approach and/or human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination may be appropriate within this community" due to low rates of follow-up.

This project is in collaboration with the Department of Health, and Jphiego (a nonprofit organization for international health affiliated with Johns Hopkins University).