The recent health discussion titled ‘Her Story, Her Strength: Speaking Up on What We DeCerv” highlighted stories and insights from women from diverse backgrounds underscoring the importance of the fight against Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
According to OBGYN Dr. Stephanie Veneracion, HPV is a “silent pandemic,” as it’s one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and is responsible for over 95% of cervical cancer cases.
Joining Dr. Veneracion on the panel were Cheska Garcia-Kramer, Kendra Kramer, Liza Sta. Maria, Jane Cheng, Aencille Santos, Jessica Tin, Ivy Bermejo, Belay Fernando, and Bea McLelland.
Often causing asymptomatic cases, HPV is a prevalent virus that can lead to concerning health problems like cervical, genital, and throat cancers in both men and women.
Statistics show that 12 Filipino women die of cervical cancer each day. Globally, the disease takes the lives of 350,000 women every year.
Beauty queen and cervical cancer prevention advocate Bea McLelland emphasized the lack of awareness about the disease.
“Nobody really talks about cervical cancer. Not even with my friends, not in schools, not even within the family,” she said, adding that medical professionals opened her mind to it and how it can be prevented with vaccination and early detection.
Meanwhile, celebrity mom Cheska Garcia-Kramer highlighted the importance of having conversations with young women like her daughter Kendra about health topics like HPV.
“I know a lot of young girls are more comfortable talking with their peers, and young girls are also comfortable getting information through the internet. But I always remind her [Kendra] that your comfort should be with your mom. Because I love you. I don’t judge you. There are no questions too hard, too difficult, or too embarrassing that you can’t tell me.”
Vaccinations against HPV are now easily accessible through pharmacy-based immunization.
“There are now certain pharmacies that are licensed to give the vaccines. Through proper training and certification, they would be able to administer the vaccines,” said Liza Sta. Maria, president of the Philippine Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
Relevant information about the disease is available via the Guard Against HPV Facebook page.
