Quezon City, Philippines – True to its commitment to eliminate cervical cancer, the Quezon City Government further strengthens its community-based cervical cancer screening program in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and Jhpiego Philippines.
By February, high-performance Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing will be offered for FREE to female QCitizens through selected SouthStar Drug outlets and the QC Health Department’s partner Women Workers for Health Empowerment (WHEN).
A pharmacist will assist the client in using the kit onsite or at home.
Once the sample is returned to the drug store, it will be transmitted to a laboratory by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
If the test turns out positive, the client will undergo thermal ablation intervention either in Batasan Lying-in Clinic or Old Balara Health Center. If the doctor still sees a lump in the cervix, the patient will be referred to a partner hospital.
Cervical cancer, despite being preventable and curable when detected early, remains the second most common cancer among Filipino women, claiming the lives of 4,380 citizens nationwide in 2022, according to the 2022 Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) report.
“This program reflects Quezon City’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding women’s health and well-being. By making cervical cancer screening more accessible and convenient, we are empowering women and enabling a healthier society,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
The expansion of the HPV DNA testing in selected pharmacies is in addition to the existing cervical cancer screening programs in all health centers and lying-in clinics.
Through the enactment of City Ordinance SP-3285, s.2024 or the Quezon City Integrated Cancer Control Ordinance (QCICCO), the city allocated P 28 Million to screen 20,000 women aged 30-49 years old this year.
QCHD personnel and city health workers also underwent training, through Jpiego’s Unitaid-funded Scale Up Cervical Cancer Elimination with Secondary Prevention Strategy (SUCCESS) Project.
“The Department of Health (DOH) stresses that measures to prevent cervical cancer include vaccination for girls aged 9-14 and screening for women aged 30-65. This initiative by Quezon City aligns with and contributes to the DOH’s national cancer control program,” emphasized Dr. Rio Magpantay, Regional Director, DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development.
“This launch of community-based cervical cancer screening enhances our Cancer Control Program and makes our efforts more comprehensive,” added Dr. Ramona Asuncion Abarquez, OIC of the Quezon City Health Department.
Dr. Ingrid Magnata, Country Program Manager for Jhpiego Philippines, praised the initiative, stating, “This program represents a critical step in aligning local efforts with global strategies for cervical cancer elimination. It demonstrates how a united effort can transform healthcare delivery.”
“This collaboration highlights the power of partnerships. Together, we are creating accessible pathways for women to protect themselves against cervical cancer,” said Thaddeus Sanchez, General Manager of South Star Drug Inc.
In 2024, the Quezon City Council passed an ordinance institutionalizing the first integrated cancer control policy in the country, establishing a comprehensive approach to address the disease.
Last year, the city screened a total of 16,897 QCitizen women for cervical cancer, while 67,331 for breast cancer. The QCHD is currently boosting the city’s lung cancer screening program.
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