Cervical Cancer Awareness: GSK’s Put On Your Power Pout Campaign Encourages Early Prevention
Last April, I experienced heavy bleeding and had to undergo a procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C), a brief surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and a special instrument is used to gently scrape the uterine lining.
Thankfully, I made it through the minor surgical procedure, but my anxiety reached its peak while waiting for the biopsy results. The thought of something as serious as cervical cancer naturally crossed my mind. Like many women, it felt like one of those fears that quietly lingers in the background.
But by God’s grace, I received the best possible news, the biopsy result was negative. No abnormality was found.
However, I still experience heavy menstrual bleeding, which I suppose may remain a lifelong concern unless early menopause comes sooner than expected.
Recently, I was invited to be part of a cervical cancer awareness campaign, and I truly felt it came at the perfect time for me.
The month of May is both a celebration of life and Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. In line with this, GlaxoSmithKline launched the “Put On Your Power Pout” campaign—an advocacy that aims to empower modern Filipinas who are always on the go, take charge of their lives, and stand strong in the fight against cervical cancer.
GSK has been committed to this mission since 2008, continuously working to raise awareness and encourage prevention through education and early action.
Thinking about what cancer can do to a person is already devastating in itself. What more for women who are actually living with the disease.
Did you know that cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death among women worldwide? The encouraging part is that with today’s medical advancements, it is also one of the most preventable and manageable cancers when detected early.
The event focused on raising awareness and educating everyone on how we can help prevent this disease. I am excited to share some of the key insights I learned from the talk.
So why should cervical cancer prevention matter to women like us?
First, Dr. Esther Rhadamanthine V. Ganzon, a gynecologic oncologist, explained that cervical cancer only affects women because it involves the cervix, which is part of the uterus. The cervix is located at the lower part of the uterus and plays an important role during childbirth as it dilates.
She also described its appearance in a very visual way to help us better understand it. A healthy cervix is often compared to a smooth, rounded structure, while in cases of cervical cancer, its appearance changes significantly due to abnormal growths.
Her talk was a powerful reminder of how important awareness, regular screening, and preventive care are in protecting women’s health.
6,000 new cases here in the Philippines are seen, truly a devastating number.
How will you know if you have cervical cancer?
According to Dr. Ganzon, unfortunately, cervical cancer often shows no clear signs or symptoms in its early stages. This is what makes it particularly dangerous, as many cases are only detected once the disease has already progressed.
By stages 3 to 4, symptoms become more noticeable and severe. These may include foul-smelling vaginal discharge, which can be very strong and difficult to ignore, pelvic or cervical pain, pain in the legs, unexplained weight loss, and extreme fatigue.
She also explained that after becoming sexually active, it may take around 10 to 15 years for a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection to develop into full-blown cervical cancer if left undetected or untreated, with many cases appearing around the age of 30. However, there has been a worrying trend of younger patients being diagnosed today.
The youngest patient she encountered was only 24 years old. In more heartbreaking cases seen in charity wards, there was even an 11-year-old patient. These realities highlight how urgent awareness, prevention, and early screening truly are in protecting women’s lives.
So, what causes cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is caused by a viral infection known as the Human Papillomavirus or HPV. There are two main types of HPV: oncogenic (high risk) and non-oncogenic (non cancer causing).
When a person becomes infected with a high risk HPV type, the likelihood of developing cervical cancer increases significantly because the virus is not easily cleared by the body. In fact, it can increase the risk by 200 to 400 times. It usually takes around 10 to 15 years from the initial infection for cervical cancer to fully develop if it goes undetected and untreated.
So how is it transmitted?
HPV is spread through direct skin to skin contact during sexual activity. This does not only refer to sexual penetration, but also other forms of intimate skin contact.
8 out of 10 women who are sexually active can get the HPV.
So, what types of HPV should we actually be concerned about?
There are more than 100 types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), but only around 13 strains are considered high risk and linked to cervical cancer. The most common high-risk types are HPV 16 and HPV 18. In some cases, patients may even carry multiple HPV types in a single cervix, increasing the complexity of infection and risk.
Do healthy people still get cervical cancer?
Yes, and this is an important point emphasized during the discussion. Cervical cancer does not only affect those who are visibly unwell. Several risk factors can increase susceptibility over time.
Smoking, for example, can significantly raise the risk of developing cervical cancer. Early sexual activity, particularly starting at a very young age, is also considered a risk factor. Having multiple sexual partners may increase exposure to HPV, while having six or more childbirths has also been associated with higher risk in some studies.
Long term use of oral contraceptives may also play a role in facilitating viral persistence in the cervix, which is why regular consultation with a gynecologist is strongly advised. In addition, individuals with co infections such as HIV are at greater risk due to weakened immune response.
So how do we prevent cervical cancer?
Prevention starts with screening and vaccination. Screening remains the most important step, followed by HPV vaccination. The vaccine can be given as early as 9 years old, depending on medical guidance.
For screening, women may undergo a Pap smear or an HPV DNA test. However, advanced HPV DNA testing is still limited in availability in the Philippines.
Another method used in clinical screening is the application of 5 percent acetic acid to the cervix. If abnormal cells are present, the area may turn white upon application. This indicates possible abnormal changes, which may lead doctors to recommend a biopsy for further evaluation.
These simple yet powerful methods highlight how early detection can make a life saving difference.
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