A future free of cervical cancer starts with prevention

Despite being one of the most preventable forms of cancer, cervical cancer remains a major threat to Filipino women. Low HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination coverage, limited awareness, and inadequate screening continue to allow this largely preventable disease to claim the lives of around 12 Filipinas every day. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer and cancer-related deaths among women in the Philippines.

In observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, health leaders, medical societies, advocates, and development partners came together in a multi-stakeholder forum where they renewed their call to strengthen prevention, screening, and treatment efforts to help eliminate one of the deadliest cancers affecting Filipinas today.

The forum, “Together for Health,” also highlighted the growing urgency to accelerate the country’s cervical cancer elimination efforts in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) global strategy, which sets a threshold of four cases per 100,000 women to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem.

To help achieve this goal by 2030, the WHO’s 90-70-90 strategy calls for 90% of girls to be fully vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus by age 15, 70% of women to be screened using high-performance tests by ages 35 and 45, and 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease to receive appropriate treatment and care.

Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV. Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable through HPV vaccination and routine screening. This is what makes cervical cancer unique among cancers: we already possess the tools needed to prevent most cases before they occur.

Prevention depends on two key steps: receiving the HPV vaccine before exposure to the virus and undergoing regular screenings to detect and treat precancerous cells before they develop into cancer.

The HPV vaccine can prevent up to 90% of cervical cancers, giving us hope that cervical cancer could become the first cancer eliminated within our lifetimes. The WHO recommends HPV vaccination beginning at ages nine to 14 as the primary target group, while many countries also provide vaccination opportunities for older adolescents and young adults through catch-up programs.

Routine screening through Pap smears and HPV DNA testing likewise plays a vital role in cervical cancer prevention. Newer technologies such as HPV DNA testing strengthen opportunities for earlier intervention and more accurate identification of women at risk. Screening remains essential even for vaccinated women because vaccination does not protect against every cancer-causing HPV type. Regular screening enables healthcare providers to detect abnormalities early, when treatment is most effective and outcomes are significantly better.

Abnormal cervical cells typically take three to seven years to become cancerous, providing a valuable window of opportunity for detection and treatment. Timely treatment and access to innovative medicines can significantly improve outcomes for women diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Stakeholders who attended the forum underscored the importance of broader protection strategies against high-risk HPV types linked to cervical cancer, alongside efforts to expand vaccination access and improve uptake among eligible populations. HPV vaccination campaigns in schools, community health centers, hospitals, private clinics, and pharmacies are critical in reaching more Filipinas earlier and more consistently.

Catch-up vaccination is likewise important to ensure that girls who miss routine vaccination opportunities are not left behind. Countries such as Australia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom have strengthened their HPV prevention strategies through expanded catch-up vaccination programs targeting older age groups. These global best practices demonstrate how inclusive and comprehensive vaccination strategies can support progress toward cervical cancer elimination.

Many Filipinas still face barriers to accessing HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment services, particularly in underserved communities. Expanding vaccination among school-aged girls remains vital, but it must be complemented by stronger screening programs and timely access to care.

Beyond its health impact, cervical cancer imposes significant emotional and economic burdens on families. Preventing the disease through vaccination and early detection is far less costly than treating advanced cancer and helps keep women healthy, productive, and able to care for their families and communities.

Stakeholders emphasized that cervical cancer prevention and HPV-related disease reduction should align with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028. The PDP, which serves as the country’s socioeconomic blueprint, promotes healthier choices, stronger preventive healthcare systems, and better protection for vulnerable sectors, including women and children. These efforts also support the Magna Carta of Women, which upholds women’s right to comprehensive, gender-responsive, and accessible healthcare services across all stages of life.

As stakeholders aptly stressed, the country’s cervical cancer response continues to evolve through advancements in vaccination, screening, diagnostics, treatment, and multi-sector collaboration. Eliminating cervical cancer will require sustained cooperation among government agencies, healthcare institutions, medical societies, local governments, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and private sector partners. Equally important is building public awareness and community trust so that more women seek preventive healthcare services, vaccination, and regular screening.

The innovative biopharmaceutical industry stands united in reinforcing a shared commitment among health leaders, advocates, and partners to turn awareness into sustained action. Let us forge stronger partnerships and adopt a whole-of-society approach in advancing the Philippine roadmap toward cervical cancer elimination.

The elimination of cervical cancer is within reach. By expanding access to HPV vaccination, strengthening screening programs, and ensuring timely treatment, the Philippines can move closer to a future where no woman loses her life to a disease that is largely preventable.

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 at the forefront of developing, investing and delivering innovative medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics for Filipinos to live healthier and more productive lives.