As part of the city’s commitment to women’s health, Davao City’s District Health Centers continue to offer Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), an early screening procedure for cervical cancer, to help detect and prevent the disease among women.
Dr. Sharlene Tan, City Health Office’s Medical Coordinator, in an interview over city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) said that in addition to the VIA, District Health Centers also offer free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations for women aged 9 to 14 years old.
“Free gihapon sa tanang health centers. Two doses ang kinahanglan nila, after sa first dose, six months after balik sila sa center for the second dose (It is still free in all health centers. They need two doses, after the first dose, six months later, they need to return to the center for the second dose),” she said.
She said that if vaccination starts at 15 years old, a three-dose schedule is recommended, with shots given at 0, 1-2 months, and 6 months.
She noted that these preventive measures have significantly reduced cervical cancer deaths in Davao City, with cases dropping from 88 deaths in 2023 to 67 deaths in 2024.
She said CHO screened 6,200 women in 2024 through VIA procedure.
The CHO usually screens women aged 30 to 65 years old. However, they also screen women in their 20s especially if they are sexually active.
She also said that according to the CHO’s data, younger women ages 25-29 and older individuals whose age are 70 years old can be disproportionately affected.
Tan also explained that not all HPV types lead to cancer, but some may initially cause genital warts, which could later develop into cancer. Early symptoms include irregular spotting or bleeding between menstruation, bleeding after sexual intercourse, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
Risk factors such as early sexual activity, multiple partners, HPV infection, and smoking increase susceptibility.
Tan said experiencing symptoms does not automatically indicate cervical cancer, but getting screened through VIA is better for early detection and prevention.
She also urged women to visit their nearest District Health Centers for screening schedules and consultations. CIO
