Power Over Cervical Cancer: You Can & You Will!

Filipinas are now more empowered than ever, with so many leading successful lives and raising families that sometimes they neglect taking care of themselves. We've  become so used to being selfless and we tend to dismiss concerns about our own bodies, but that should not be the case. When I am invited to events that promote cervical cancer awareness, I make it a point to go because it's a cause I believe in, and by sharing what I've learned, I may help save lives. 

Why should we be worried about cervical cancer?

• Second leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipinas
• Seven Filipinas die of cervical cancer
• 2 in 3 Filipinas diagnosed with cervical cancer may die within five years

Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop and spread in the cervix, the entrance between the vagina and the uterus. This is caused by persistent infection with the cancer causing Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

HPV is a very common virus. It is also estimated that up to 80 percent of women will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Majority of HPV infections may come and go, some may clear spontaneously within two years, however if the immune system is weak, the HPV infections may persist and may eventually lead to the development of cervical cancer. HPV infection is easily transmitted via skin-to-skin genital contact (even without penetrative sex) and condoms may not be enough to protect you from exposure to HPV.

Every woman is at risk, regardless of race, age, lifestyle, or socio-economic status.

To commemorate Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) strengthens their advocacy via the Power Over Cervical Cancer "You Can & You Will" campaign. This aims to encourage Filipinas to realize that they have the power to protect themselves and their dreams by simply consulting with their doctors and asking about ways to prevent cervical cancer.

The GOOD news to all this is that cervical cancer can be prevented via screening (pap smear) and HPV vaccination.

You may backread about my journey to getting protected against HPV and cervical cancer.

• Time to X Out Cervical Cancer with Cervarix
• X Means Love: I'm Now Protected with Cervarix!

I remember attending Andi Manzano's bridal shower last 2013, where she opened up that her mom has had cervical cancer. Her mom was there during the event to share her experience. An early symptom was irregular bleeding, wherein she thought that she was just going through her menopause. Due to early detection, she was able to get treatment at Stage 1 and is now cancer-free. Because of that, she required her family members to get HPV vaccinations, and would even be the one to follow up on their vaccine schedules, since the full-course vaccine is comprised of 3 shots given within a 6 month period. Andi is now a mom to beautiful Olivia, and when her daughter comes of age, she'll make it a point to protect her too with the HPV vaccine.

Fact: It's recommended that the HPV vaccination can already be administered as early as 9 years old.

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Getting cancer may be a distant concept for women who are well and at their prime, but they should be aware that even the healthiest can be at risk. The power to protect yourself from cervical cancer is in your hands, and NOW is the best time to consult with your physician and have yourself screened.

To know more about cervical cancer, visit Power Over Cervical Cancer on Facebook and Pangarap Mo, Protektado on Youtube. These pages contain information and short films about protecting oneself against vaccine-preventable diseases and how it's an important step to achieving one’s dreams.

Dear future me,

Today I write my promise to you, that you'll be healthy! You already love fish and dislike red meat, which is a nice start. You will have lovely skin because I'll drink more water. You must never smoke, but I doubt that you will anyway since you hate the smell of cigarette smoke. Last May 2014, you finished the full-course of HPV vaccinations, but that doesn't give you the 20-year license to live recklessly. Even if you don't feel like it, go to the doctor and get checked. She is a friend. Just take good care of your health. It should be your priority, even if you're leading a very busy career.

So protect yourself and your dreams. You have the power!

Love,
Helen

Let's keep in touch!

 

Lucky Citrine on Facebook
Lucky Citrine on Instagram

X Means Love: I'm Now Protected with Cervarix!

They say cancer has no cure, but prevention is always better than cure. If there's one type of cancer that can be prevented, it's cervical cancer - a silent killer that claims the lives of countless women everyday. It has no signs or symptoms on its early stage, and when the symptoms do show up, the cancer is most probably already at its advanced stage already. Taking the HPV vaccine is a proactive step I took in taking care of my body.

Last May was Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. It was also the month when I finished my full course of HPV vaccines using Cervarix at Healthway Medical.

The full course of this vaccine means 3 shots in a 0-1-6 months interval. Meaning, my first one was last November 2013, second was last December 2013, then final one last May 2014. After completing the vaccines, I'm now protected from HPV 16 and 18 for up to 20 years, without the need for boosters. (HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer.)

If flexibility in the vaccination schedule is necessary, the second dose can be administered between 1 month and 2.5 months after the first dose and the third dose between 5 and 12 months after the first dose.

Learn more about this vaccine here:

X Means Love | Andi Manzano Bridal Shower

Time to X Out Cervical Cancer with Cervarix

Have you taken the HPV vaccine yet? This 2014, it's about time we proactively took action on protecting ourselves and our loved ones from cervical cancer through screening and vaccination.

Love,

Helen

Time to X Out Cervical Cancer with Cervarix

I've considered getting the cervical cancer vaccine before, but it was when I attended Andi Manzano's Bridal Shower this month that enlightened and convinced me to finally do it.

Now, I'll be sharing with you some facts and a bit of my experience with this vaccine.

Everyone who attended Andi's Bridal Shower got the gift of a full course HPV vaccine, courtesy of GlaxoSmithKline and Healthway Medical. This is one of the most precious gifts I've received, since it can possibly save my life.

Cervarix is a non-infections recombiant, bivalent vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18. (HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer.) This vaccine is prepared from highly purified virus-like particles without viral DNA, which means it cannot infect cells, reproduce, or cause disease.

The full course of this vaccine means 3 shots in a 0-1-6 months interval. Meaning, if I took the first shot on November 2013, my second would be in December 2013, and the third would be in May 2014. Upon the completion of this vaccination process, there would be no more need for boosters, and you'll be protected from HPV 16 and 18 for up to 20 years.

At Healthway Medical, each shot of Cervarix costs approximately P2,500.00. Since I got my vaccine for free, I was charged P400.00 for doctor's screening and consultation. (I am not certain if the vaccine would be charged as P2,500.00 on regular circumstances, or P2,900.00 with a separate consultation fee.)

Females from age 9 onwards can take the vaccine. The only side effect I got were sore  muscles at the site of the vaccine (particularly on my upper arm or deltoid), which lasted for about 2 days, and nothing else.

Cervical cancer vaccines mostly work to protect against high-risk HPVs. Basically, there are two vaccines currently available: Cervarix and Gardasil. Cervarix provides protection against the high-risk HPVs 16 and 18 and is generally cheaper than Gardasil. However, Gardasil provides protection against HPVs 6 and 11 as well as 16 and 18. For more details, please see the comparison chart below:

Source: Female Network

I will be going back to Healthway on December for my second shot. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!

Have you taken the HPV vaccine yet? It's about time we proactively take action on protecting ourselves and our loved ones from cervical cancer through screening and vaccination.

Love,

Helen

X Means Love | Andi Manzano Bridal Shower

Last November 5, I attended Andi Manzano's Bridal Shower at Makati Shangri-La Hotel. This event was unique because it's no ordinary bridal shower. This day, I got to learn about something that could possibly save my life.

X Means Love aims to empower women through increasing awareness and driving urgency to fight cervical cancer. This advocacy campaign aims to increase awareness in preventing cervical cancer, or cancer in the cervix (the lower, narrow part of the uterus or the womb), and is supported by GlaxoSmithKline and Healthway Medical.

Before the event started, we were treated to this gorgeous pink buffet of sweets.

We also got the chance to share X Means Love to our family and friends through these pink envelopes. Here, I wrote down the names of my Mom and sisters, so they could all get the HPV vaccine at a discounted rate from Healthway Medical.

The pink X we see is a symbol of love. It's about time we proactively take action on protecting ourselves and our loved ones from cervical cancer through screening and vaccination.

Andi Manzano is the new ambassador for X Means Love, a cervical cancer awareness advocacy campaign where women share what X Means to them. As Andi prepares to X out her single status, she also X-es our cervical cancer from her life.

But of course, a bridal shower won't be complete without games! We played 3 awesome and wholesome games, like Bridal Shower Bingo, Purse Raid, and Bridal Jackpot. All of which, luck wasn't on my side that night! Haha!

Andi's passion is to empower women - single or married - to X-out the risks of HPV and cervical cancer.

 

She decided to do this advocacy because early this year, her mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The time she was supposed to be preparing for her wedding, she spent taking care and just being there for her mom - who was also her best friend. She witnessed her mom growing weak in just a matter of weeks after going through all the motions from the chemotherapy to radiation treatments. Cervical cancer affects the body with much haste and instant pain. To see your loved ones suffer is a very tough experience. But by the grace of God, her mom has been cured and is in remission.

 

The silver lining in all of this is that cervical cancer is preventable, and is one of the easiest to treat if detected early. Worldwide, and also in the Philippines, cervical cancer ranks as the second most frequent cancer among women, the first being breast cancer. It is estimated that every year, 4,544 Pinays are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 1,856 die from the disease.

This type of cancer is cunning and deceptive. In its early stage, cervical cancer may have no signs or symptoms. Women may go about their lives thinking that nothing’s wrong, but they should have themselves screened for cancer before it's too late. Also, taking preventive medicine like the HPV vaccine can help prevent this disease.

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a necessary cause of cervical cancer. Genital HPV is a common, highly transmissible virus that is passed from one person to another through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. Most sexually active people will get HPV at some time in their lives, though most will never know it. It is estimated that up to 80 percent of women will acquire an HPV infection in their lifetime. Regardless of age, lifestyle, or socio-economic status, every woman is at risk of the cancer-causing HPV infection, which may lead to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can be prevented through screening (Pap smear or HPV DNA test, or both) and vaccination.
 

HPV vaccines are safe and effective. Prevention is the best treatment and early detection can save lives. All women deserve a fighting chance against cervical cancer. In our country, it is estimated that the financial cost of preventing cervical cancer through screening and vaccination could be more than 20 times cheaper than the cost of treatment.
 

HPV vaccines have different characteristics, components, and indications. I have found a helpful guide from FemaleNetwork.com about cervical cancer and the types of vaccines that are available in the market today.

I won't take the risk. Like Andi, I'm also X-ing out cervical cancer from my life by taking a full-course of HPV vaccine. I'll be sharing with you my experience on that soon!

Love,

Helen