The Tour of Hope” Continues to Push the Pedal against Cervical Cancer

When it comes to the fight against cervical cancer, people are hitting the road to defeat this disease. 

With “The Tour of Hope”, a cycling tour event which aims to spread cervical cancer awareness, individuals from different walks of life are rallying to stop the spread of one of the leading women killers here in the country. And with sufficient awareness, surveillance, advocacy and prevention, twelve Filipinas today, tomorrow, and the days to come will be spared from the fatal grip of this female disease.

About Cervical Cancer

-    Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer worldwide, with half a million new cases and 250,000 deaths reported each year. Over 80% of cases occur in developing countries including the Philippines.
-    Up to 80% of women will have HPV in their lifetime, the virus that causes cervical cancer.
-    More than half of the women with cervical cancer will die within 5 years after diagnosis.
-    Everyday, 12 Filipina die of cervical cancer. It’s ranked as the second most common female cancer afflicting Filipino women.
-    Early Cervical Cancer produces no signs or symptoms.
-    The Human Papilloma Virus or HPV, is the cause of cervical cancer.

Preventing Cervical Cancer thru Vaccination

-    GlaxoSmithKline’s cervical cancer vaccine provides significant protection for women against the two most common cancer-causing Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types (HPV types 16 and 18) for at least seven, the longest duration of protection reported to date. Modeling studies also demonstrate that it may provide protection for 20-50 years.
-    The GSK cervical cancer vaccine has not demonstrated the need for a booster shot or a 4th dose even after more than 7 years of vaccination. Together, HPV types 16 and 18, together, are responsible for over 70 percent of cervical cancer cases in Asia Pacific.
-    GSK’s cervical cancer vaccine has also shown efficacy against 12 other cancer-causing HPV types beyond HPV 16 and 18, which includes HPV strain 45 – another strain which prevalently causes cervical cancer among Filipinas.
-    Designed to last for both young and mature women, females from 10 years old onwards can be vaccinated using GSK’s cervical cancer vaccine.

Bravehearts

-    A non-government organization, Bravehearts is dedicated to raise awareness on cervical cancer prevention. Bravehearts is currently supported by a growing number of women, including prominent personalities such as Sen. Loren Legarda, Rina Jimenez David, Ellen Tordesillas, Atty.Gaby Concepcion, Tessa Prieto David, Abbygale Arenas de Leon and Suzi Entrata.

The Cancer Institute Foundation (CIF) for the Cervical Cancer Prevention (CECAP) Network Program

-    Founded in 2001, the CIF is a non-stock, non-profit organization based in Manila, Philippines which supports the Cancer Institute (CI) of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and its accredited cancer management network institutions with clinical, research, advocacy and financial assistance for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

-    This commitment springs from the Foundation’s view that the promotion of health and welfare is a responsibility not of just one but all: that the government, individuals or groups, given a vehicle like the foundation, they will generously share their time, efforts and resources with their fellowmen who are ill but have little means to get well.

-    The Cervical Cancer Prevention (CECAP) Network Program is one of its major programs which is in collaboration with numerous health organizations, both in the government and private sectors, and other concerned local and international groups all working together to eradicate cervical cancer in the country. The CECAP provides a comprehensive approach in combating this disease, through advocating proper education about healthy lifestyle, providing quality cervical cancer services such as counseling, screening linked to treatment and vaccination and through research.