The Caloocan City government has announced that it is offering free cervical cancer screening and detection services for the women in the city throughout the month of September.
The free services are part of the city government’s celebration of the Cervical Cancer Awareness month and will be offered at all city health centers. The activity is spearheaded by the City Health Department (CHD).
CHD said that only women aged 20 years old and above who are not menstruating at the time of the screening, and who abstained from having sexual intercourse for three days are allowed to undergo the tests.
“Sa lahat po ng kababaihan edad 20 pataas, magpunta lamang po kayo sa pinakamalapit na health center at magpa-konsulta na. Samantalahin po natin ang pagkakataon nito sa buong buwan ng Setyembre (To all women over the age of 20, just go to the nearest health center and get a consultation. Let's take advantage of this opportunity throughout the month of September),” Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan said.
“Paalala po ng ating mga doktor at eksperto na kadalasan ay walang sintomas ang Cervical Cancer kaya naman huwag na po natin hintayin na magkaroon pa tayo ng malalang nararamdaman kung kaya naman natin itong maagapan (Our doctors and experts remind us that Cervical Cancer usually has no symptoms, so let's not wait until we have serious signs if we can prevent it),” he added.
Malapitan also recognized the importance of health-related programs to further empower women and bolster gender-equality efforts of the city.
“Patuloy po nating palalakasin ang ganitong klase ng mga programa dahil alam ko po na hindi lang naman kalusugan ang natutukan dito; nabibigyan din natin ng pagkakataon na palakasin ang interes ng mga kababaihan kapag pinangangalagaan natin ang kanilang kapakanan (We will continue to strengthen this type of program because I know that health is not the only focus here; we are also strengthening the interests of women when we take care of their welfare),” Mayor Along stated.
The city government also shared on its Facebook page some tips on how to prevent cervical cancer. The post can be checked through this link: https://www.facebook.com/100064843084011/posts/pfbid02sqnY7yBiSfMQLuESY81sCmNQLspsPZKi2n2G3KCohct5FBDvqKiBidgKittxUJGsl/