BATTLING HPV. Dr. Erwin de Mesa, president of Philippine Infectious Disease Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology, talks about the alarming prevalence of cervical cancer in the country in a forum on Wednesday (August 28, 2019). He said 99 percent of cervical cancer cases are caused by human papilloma virus infection. (PNA photo by Ma. Teresa Montemayor)
MANILA -- In the past, people cringe and crumble upon hearing the word "cancer" as it means a looming end to one's life.
While many technological breakthroughs and advancements in the field of medicine have been invented, only a few people are aware that this disease popularly known as the 'Big C' is now curable and preventable, especially among women.
“It is sad to know that a treatable disease such as cervical cancer is the second (leading) cause of death among women, next to breast cancer,” Cervical Cancer Prevention Network director, Dr. Cecila Llave said at the launch of the Guard Against HPV (human papilloma virus).
Guard Against HPV is an advocacy which calls on all stakeholders to address the concerns and stigma of HPV to protect the welfare of the children and the youth.
Llave explained that women diagnosed with stage 1 cervical cancer have 90 percent chance of survival while those diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer have 60 percent chance of survival.
“You know, even those at stage 4 still have 20 percent chance of survival. We now know that chronic HPV infection is a necessary factor for cervical cancer and before it becomes cancer, it passes through stages from infection to invasive disease,” she said.
Citing that 99.7 percent of the cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV, Llave said it takes 10 to 30 years of incubation before HPV infection, the most common sexually transmitted infection, becomes symptomatic.
“There are no signs and symptoms about 18 percent of the time. Most women don’t go to the health centers unless they're bleeding profusely and they experience too much pain,” she added.
Dr. Roberto Pascual, chairman of Philippine Dermatological Society–Sexually Transmitted Infection Subspecialty Group, said genital warts are most common manifestations of HPV infection.
“About 40 strains of HPV are related to genital warts…these warts are not painful, they are just itchy. Sometimes, patients only see a doctor when they are already very itchy or when they already interfering with sexual activity,” Pascual said.
While “intimate” skin to skin contact is the most common mode of HPV transmission, Pascual said the infection can be acquired “even without sexual penetration”.
Even though HPV infection is asymptomatic, Llave stressed it can be detected through pap smear, HPV DNA testing, and simple acetic acid test.
“As soon as you become sexually active you need screening, actually the World Health Organization recommends that by age 30 you can start with screening, and even if you're 21 and still a virgin, you can already have pap smear for protection,” she said.
Llave added anyone can be protected from HPV infection through vaccination against the disease.
“As early as nine years old, you can have HPV vaccination because it is prophylactic, meaning it could be given before you're even exposed to infection, it is best to be given at that time because the response of your immune system is better when you are younger,” she said.
Apart from HPV vaccination, Dr. Erwin de Mesa, president of the Philippine Infectious Disease Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology, said that being faithful to your partner and consultation with a doctor could keep you from contracting the infection. (PNA)
