Working to eradicate cervical cancer

As the world observes the Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, the Philippines has once again reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating one of the most preventable cancers: cervical cancer.

In an event titled “Together for Health: The Progress Made and What More Needs to Be Done for Cervical Cancer Elimination,” key stakeholders from national and local government units, the private sector, and patient advocacy groups came together to celebrate the strides made thus far and outline the road ahead.

The stakes are high. Cervical cancer, which is primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), remains one of the leading health challenges for Filipino women. Every year, it claims the lives of approximately 12 women per day in the Philippines, making it the second most common cancer among women in the country. This harsh reality underscores the critical importance of prevention — particularly through vaccination and early screening — to protect women and future generations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set an ambitious yet achievable target: to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by 2030. This goal hinges on three main pillars: vaccination, screening, and treatment. The WHO’s targets include vaccinating 90% of girls against HPV by the age of 15, ensuring that 70% of women undergo cervical screening by ages 35 and 45, and providing treatment to 90% of women with pre-cancerous lesions or invasive cervical cancer.

In the Philippines, efforts are underway to address cervical cancer, with the resumption of the School-Based Immunization Program and the Centralized Laboratory Model for HPV Screening (CLAMS) leading the charge.

The Philippine government’s School-Based Immunization Program has been a cornerstone in the fight against cervical cancer. Since 2015, this initiative has been providing essential vaccines to schoolchildren, particularly targeting girls aged nine to 14. By offering the HPV vaccine in a familiar, trusted setting, the program ensures that young girls are protected from the virus that causes cervical cancer, thereby reducing future health risks.

This program plays a critical role in helping the Philippines meet the WHO’s lofty 2030 target of vaccinating 90% of girls by age 15. By vaccinating girls, the country is taking crucial steps toward safeguarding women from cervical cancer.

“We are focused on placing women at the heart of healthcare efforts, creating access to the best vaccines and cancer care resources,” added Andreas Riedel, President and Managing Director of MSD in the Philippines. “By uniting our expertise and resources, we can reach more Filipinas and make cervical cancer prevention, screening, and education widely accessible.”

To complement vaccination efforts, the CLAMS project provides an innovative approach to cervical cancer screening. The CLAMS project utilizes centralized laboratories in urban centers to process HPV samples collected through self-collection kits. This streamlined process reduces barriers to screening and helps women access life-saving diagnostic tools.

“Roche Diagnostics is at the forefront of developing quality screening, triage, and diagnostic solutions for cervical cancer. We are committed to the global strategy to eradicate cervical cancer and work with governments, associations, international organizations, and society to increase awareness and ensure access to accurate screening and care for all women — no matter where they live,” said Marco Antonio Valencia Sanchez, Country Manager, Roche Diagnostics.

The involvement of Local Government Units (LGUs) is also critical in ensuring the success of vaccination and screening programs. In rural areas where healthcare access is more limited, LGUs have the power to bridge gaps by prioritizing health education, ensuring resource allocation, and making vaccines accessible to all.

Active LGU participation has the potential to drastically increase the reach of these life-saving programs. By providing logistical support, raising awareness, and integrating cervical cancer prevention into community health initiatives, LGUs play a pivotal role in reducing cervical cancer rates.

Another key factor in accelerating the Philippines’ progress toward cervical cancer elimination is the power of public-private partnerships. Collaborations between organizations belonging to the biopharmaceutical sector strengthen the country’s National Integrated Cancer Control Program (NICCP), expanding access to vaccines, screenings, and life-saving treatments.

Ending cervical cancer in the Philippines requires a strong, multi-stakeholder approach, drawing on the strengths of government, healthcare providers, and the private sector alike.

As the Philippines works toward eliminating cervical cancer, continued collaboration among all sectors — government, healthcare providers, private partners, and local communities — will be key. With the collective efforts of stakeholders across the nation, the country is taking significant strides toward coming close to the 90-70-90 targets set by the WHO.

The journey to a cervical cancer-free future for the Philippines will not be easy. With sustained commitment, a unified effort, and continued investment in health infrastructure, the Philippines can help save the lives of girls and women. Through education, prevention, and early detection, children, sisters, and mothers can be given an equal fighting chances against cervical cancer.

 

Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are in the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.

Working to eradicate cervical cancer
Philippines Pandemic