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L-R: Liza Sta. Maria, Dr. Stephanie Veneracion, Bea McLelland, Belay Fernando, Kendra Kramer, Cheska Garcia-Kramer, Niña Corpuz, Dr. Mary Ann Galang-Escalona, Ethel Calma, Jessica Tinio, Ivy Bermejo, and Aencille Santos. Her Story, Her Strength: Speaking Up on What We DeCerv, an influential panel discussion hosted by MSD in the Philippines by Guard Against HPV, brought together women from various backgrounds. Influencers provided insightful advice on simple preventive measures, medical specialists shared gripping tales about health literacy, and activists and survivors led moving discussions. Dr. Stephanie Veneracion, Liza Sta Maria, Jane Cheng, Aencille Santos, Jessica Tinio, Ivy Bermejo, Belay Fernando, Bea McLelland, Cheska Garcia-Kramer, and Kendra Kramer were among the panelists that Niña Corpuz skillfully moderated. What is HPV? Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent virus that can lead to significant health problems, including cervical, genital, and throat cancers, in both me...

  To start up, the cervical cancer awareness month, MSD in the Philippines organizes an event to empower women to protect themselves from HPV and cervical cancer. Cervical cancer poses a threat to women’s health everywhere, especially in the Philippines. Each year, over 8 thousand women in the country are diagnosed, and over 4,000 women succumb to it. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting Filipino women, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 44. For a largely preventable disease, these are devastating numbers to still have. Healthcare company MSD in the Philippines mounts the “Cervical Cancer: Di mo DeCerv” event to empower women with a deeper understanding on HPV and cervical cancer, emphasizing the importance of prevention and early detection. This event aims to raise awareness and inspire women to take proactive steps in order to protect themselves from cervical cancer. More importantly, the event seeks to inspire hope and motivate women to put their...

Cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination against HPV—human papillomavirus, which causes about 99% of all cervical cancers—and regular screening. When diagnosed early and managed effectively, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer. Yet every year, out of the 8,549 Filipino women diagnosed with cervical cancer, 4,380 or more than half of them lose their lives. Every day, an estimated 12 Filipinas die of this disease—that means every two hours, a woman loses her fight against cervical cancer, and a family loses a loved one. Understanding the burden of cervical cancer and to underscore the urgency of a concrete multi-sectoral action towards its elimination, the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) and healthcare company MSD in the Philippines organized a forum titled “Together for Health: Making a United Stand Against Cervical Cancer” on April 5, 2024. Increased incidence, rising costs In the Philippines, cervica...