BMC registers 108 with cervical cancer

By Zyra Ponce

The Bicol Medical Center (BMC) Regional Cancer Center head, Dr. Alma Bresnan, said that they have recorded a total number of 108 patients who were diagnosed with cervical cancer excluding the numbers of cancer patients in private hospitals.

In an interview with Bresnan during the event dubbed as “Kapihan sa PIA” held at SM City Naga on Cervical Cancer Awareness, patients with cervical cancers rank second to 206 patients diagnosed with breast cancer while there are 79 patients with colorectal.

Bresnan explained that some of the early symptoms of the cervical cancer include abnormal menstrual cycle, post coital

bleeding, anemia and many more. She also added that cervical cancer has a one percent hereditary chance and ninety-nine percent is caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, acquired through a sexual contact primarily to those with more than one or multiple sexual partners and skin-to skin contact.

“Ito pong cervical cancer it does not grow overnight. It takes 10 to 20 years before it develops to be a cancer,” she said.

She said that pap smear screening procedure is one of the tests to find out the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix and the use of vinegar as alternative solution in determining the changes in the cervix. She added that they also offer free consultation and check-up.

“We have to be alarmed because the top two cancers sa data statistics are affecting women, so dapat po magpascreen yung regular screening,” Bresnan reminded the public.

The month of May has been declared as the Cervical Cancer Prevention Awareness Month in the Philippines to build awareness about the deadly disease.