NAGA CITY (May 28) - "12 women die everyday because of cervical cancer." This was the statement of Dr. Grace Chan, Program Manager of the Cervical Cancer Prevention (CECAP) Network Program last May 27 at the SM Mall Atrium during their campaign against cervical cancer.
The campaign was named "The Tour of Hope" which, according to the organization is an international bike tour set up by different sectors of society aimed at raising awareness for health issues in Asia. Previous bike tours were held in Thailand and Malaysia.
A 500km bike tour from Vigan going down to Subic was the first Tour of Hope in the Philippines last year which aimed to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cervical cancer.
This year's tour covers another 500 kilometers from Muntinlupa to Camarines Sur. This year's theme is XXX: Dare to Be Bold which stands for Xpose the truth, Xceed your Limit and Xclaim your right to life. This aims to expose the truth about cervical cancer and its prevention, the strength of the bikers and the survivors as well and the fight against the deadly disease.
The Lay Forum on Cervical Cancer Awareness was formally welcomed by Dr. Lourdes Asence, surrogate of Mayor Jesse Robredo who was in Japan that day.
Dr. Chan shared information concerning what every woman should know about cervical cancer, its symptoms and prevention. "The major risk factor for cervical cancer is infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) which is spread through sexual intercourse and may not cause any noticeable symptoms in its early stages," she warned.
Dr. Jane Adevoso, a cervical cancer survivor also shared her experience and the pain she had undergone during her pregnancy which was said to be critical because of the said menace. However, she proudly stated that she survived.
Dr. Cecilia Ladines Llave and Ms. Abbygale Arenas De Leon also had their talk on how cervical cancer be prevented. Unlocking the Single Visit Approach was said to be the secret, the Counsel, Screen and Treatment. Vaccination is always a choice to prevent the disease from developing.
The forum then was formally ended by Cong. Ruffy Biazon of Muntinlupa City, who joined the fight against cervical cancer.
The highlight of the activity, the tour itself, entailed waiting and welcoming the bikers who toured 500km from Muntinlupa to Camarines Sur. Flowers, flags and smiles relieved the exhausted bikers.