Marikina gov't offers free cervical cancer screening
In celebration of National Women's Month, the Office of Marikina City Vice Mayor Dr. Marion Andres is offering free cervical cancer screening for Marikeñas this March.
The screening can be availed by women residents of Marikina every Thursday for the whole month of March from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The screening service offered is a visual inspection using acetic acid wash, a medical procedure for early detection of cervical cancer.
Interested patients can proceed to the vice mayor’s office at the second floor of the Legislative Building in Barangay Sta. Elena, Marikina City.
The screening will be conducted on a first come, first serve basis.
The vice mayor’s office regularly conducts free cervical cancer screening for women even before Women’s Month. They were held during the first and last Thursday of every month.
According to Andres’ official social media page, the free screening every Thursday this March aims to give importance to women’s health, and stand in solidarity with women throughout the nationwide celebration.
Cervical cancer affects the female reproductive system, particularly the cervix, and is linked to infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), which is a common sexually transmitted virus.
According to the country report made by the HPV Information Center in 2021, “cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among women in the Philippines, particularly among those aged 15 to 44.”
“Current estimates indicate that every year 7,897 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 4,052 die from the disease,” the research added.
Andres’ office also offers and leads programs for other free medical services to Marikina residents such as cataract screening, eye check ups, ECG services, as well as high blood and diabetes tests.