Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Filipino women between the ages of 15 and 44. Known as a silent killer, it claims 4,052 lives each year, many unaware they had it until it was too late.
Despite being largely preventable, cervical cancer continues to slip through the cracks due to cultural stigma, financial barriers, and a widespread lack of accurate information. And while it primarily affects women, transgender men and nonbinary people with a cervix are also at risk and must be part of the prevention conversation.
The Beauty Edit explores what’s holding us back and what it will take to move forward.
How It Begins
Cervical cancer is caused by “persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).” Though most HPV infections go away on their own, certain types, such as 16 and 18, can cause changes in the cells of the cervix over time. In fact, it takes years or even decades for these abnormal cells to turn into cervical cancer.
Oncologist Anita G. Lacuesta-Jesena says several factors increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. “A woman can get cervical cancer if she becomes sexually active early on (less than 14 years old) or if she has multiple sex partners (more than six partners). Engaging in sex with uncircumcised partners or getting pregnant at a young age (less than 17 years old) also heightens the chance of developing the disease.”
She adds, “Those living with immunodeficiency virus, concurrent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or immunosuppression from other causes are at a higher risk. Even smoking or using combined oral contraceptive pills can increase the risk.”
Julia Victoria J. Poblete, an obstetrician-gynecologist for Kindred Health Inc., reveals rare causes of cervical cancer. “[These] include a history of cervical cancer in the family or being exposed to a drug called Diethylstilbestrol as a fetus.”
What to Watch For
The most worrying thing about cervical cancer is that it rarely causes symptoms in its early stages. Signs usually appear later when the cancer has grown or spread. At that point, affected women may experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual discharge, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse.
In the Philippines, 75% of cervical cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, resulting in a low survival rate of 44%. Therefore, early intervention after potential HPV infection remains the most reliable way to prevent cervical cancer. Regular screening is critical since it can catch abnormal cells before they become cancerous.
The Department of Health (DOH) recommends that women ages 25 to 55 get cervical screenings every five to seven years. To support Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, DOH offers free Pap smears and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) tests every May. However, a study alarmingly reveals that only 1% of Filipinas between 30 and 49 have undergone cervical screening.
Early Detection Works
Cervical screenings are administered in hospitals, community health centers, and private clinics. Women-centric health and wellness center Kindred, for example, offers a cervical screening package that includes OB-GYN consultations and a Pap smear. This procedure involves taking a sample from the cervix, then checking the cells for irregularities.
Though a Pap smear is the gold standard for cervical cancer screenings, the VIA test is a more common, cost-friendly alternative administered throughout the country. VIA uses diluted acetic acid to highlight abnormal areas on the cervix, which turn white when exposed.
But prevention doesn’t stop at screening. One of the most effective tools we have is the HPV vaccine.
Stopping It Before It Starts
Girls as young as nine will benefit from receiving the HPV vaccine. According to Dr. Poblete, getting it makes all the difference because “cervical cancer is the only vaccine-preventable cancer. By receiving the HPV vaccine as an adolescent (or as soon as you can as an adult), you are greatly decreasing your chances of getting HPV.”
The HPV vaccine is given in two or three doses based on what age an individual starts the vaccination series. Poblete describes how it works, saying, “The HPV vaccine kind of ‘tricks’ the body into thinking that it has been exposed to the virus. By doing this, the body will create cells to fight off HPV when it is exposed to the real deal.” She also recommends that men get the HPV vaccine, as they can carry the virus and pass it to their partners.
Host Andi Manzano-Reyes has openly spoken about the vaccine’s importance and plans to have her daughters vaccinated. In an Instagram post, she shares, “Life can take unexpected turns, and for me, that happened when my mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer caused by HPV. It was a scary wake-up call, but it made me realize just how important it is to stay on top of our health… [Be] proactive. Get your screenings [and] talk to your doctor about lifestyle-related risk factors and the HPV vaccine.”
The Struggle to Get Treated
Individuals diagnosed with cervical cancer can receive treatments depending on the stage of the disease. Lacuesta-Jesena explains, “For cervical cancer that has not spread beyond the cervix, treatment [typically involves a] radical hysterectomy.” For advanced stages, chemoradiation or a combination of chemotherapy and targeted therapy may be given.
Treatments can be expensive and difficult to access, especially for women in rural areas. Belay Fernando Dela Cruz, a cervical cancer survivor and former national football coach, points out, “Many Filipinas don’t have access to timely care.” While government agencies such as PhilHealth (Z Benefit Package) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office(Medical Assistance Program) provide financial assistance, many believe the current support still falls short.
In an open letter to President Marcos, cervical cancer advocate and survivor Reggie Mutia Lambo Drilon calls on the government to do more. Reflecting on her and her sister’s experience, Drilon emphasizes the need for wider vaccination and expanded screening. She also petitions for stronger support for patients who have been diagnosed and are currently struggling to manage cervical cancer.
Breaking the Barriers
Even with life-saving screenings and vaccines available, countless Filipinas delay seeking appropriate care. Deep-rooted religious and cultural norms make it uncomfortable for some to openly discuss sexual health. Since people associate cervical cancer with early sexual contact, multiple partners, and STIs, the topic becomes even harder to talk about.
Social judgment often extends into the clinic. Even the act of booking a cervical exam can raise questions. “For older generations, going to a doctor entails that you are sick or there is a problem. In terms of OB-GYNs, some people may automatically think that these consults involve pregnancy or a genital infection. This is not always the case,” says Dr. Poblete.
Another hurdle is the lack of comprehensive sex education in our country. Many grow up misinformed about how HPV is transmitted or how cervical cancer develops. Some believe that monogamy eliminates risk or that HPV is only transmitted through sexual intercourse. In reality, HPV can spread through skin-to-skin contact, even in married relationships where both partners have only had one previous partner. Myths like these leave women and men feeling falsely reassured.
Religious groups and socially conservative advocates have expressed concern that the HPV vaccine might encourage promiscuity in young people. Parents hesitate to have their daughters vaccinated for fear that it sends the wrong message. But global studies have repeatedly shown that HPV vaccination does not influence sexual behavior.
To break through all these barriers, community education—both online and in person—is essential. Women and girls deserve open, shame-free discussions about their sexual health. Debunking harmful myths and normalizing cervical screenings are important first steps. Equally necessary? Inspiring families to see HPV prevention as an act of care—not something to be ashamed of. Together, these shifts can help create a more supportive environment where no one feels judged for protecting their body.
What It Takes to End Cervical Cancer
The Philippines is not alone in the fight against cervical cancer. Launched on November 17, 2020, the World Health Organization’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative urges countries to adopt the 90-70-90 strategy to protect future generations from cervical cancer.
To reach this goal by 2030, countries must focus on three pillars: First, 90 percent of girls should be fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15. Second, 70 percent of women should be screened for cervical cancer at ages 35 and 45. Third, 90 percent of women diagnosed with pre-cancer should receive treatment, while 90 percent of women with invasive cancer should be properly managed.
In the Philippines, expanding access to free HPV vaccines through government-funded and school-based programs can help ease the financial burden on low-income families. Making VIA tests and Pap smears part of routine healthcare and offering self-sampling HPV test options can make screenings more accessible. Promoting the ABCDV approach (Abstain, Be faithful, Condom use, Doctor consultation, and Vaccination against HPV) can help keep these preventive practices top of mind.
The roadmap is clear—what happens next depends on how we put things into practice.
As the pioneering femtech company in the Philippines, Kindred Health Inc. provides healthcare and wellness services, products, and packages for women across the country. Click here to discover the branch nearest you.
