Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer experienced by Filipino women. Here are ways you can prevent and detect it early.

When people hear about cancer, they often feel fear and helplessness. It’s usually thought to be an unexpected illness with high-cost treatments as the only option to survive. Contrary to what most believe, some cancers are preventable through vaccines, including cervical cancer.

In the Philippines, cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers for women, wherein in 2023, the HPV Information Centre reported that almost 8,000 Filipino women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 4,000 died from it.

Cervical cancer is a disease that greatly burdens women, but is not often talked about.

Here’s what every woman should know about cervical cancer: its causes and the ways you can be safe from this preventable cancer.

But first, what is the cervix?

The cervix is a part of the female reproductive system. It is located at the lower, narrow end of the uterus, connecting it to the vagina. It has two main parts:

Image Source: National Cancer Institute (n.d.)

  • Ectocervix – the outer part of the cervix, which is seen during a pelvic exam

  • Endocervix – the inner part of the cervix, which serves as the “canal” connecting the uterus to the vagina

The squamocolumnar junction is the part where the ectocervix and endocervix meet. This part of the cervix is also called the “transformation zone.”

The cervix is a very versatile reproductive organ that serves many important functions:

  • Serves as a protective barrier between the uterus and vagina to ward off pathogens

  • Produces mucus throughout the cycle that can help or hinder sperm movement

  • Functions as a “gate” that allows fluids like menstrual blood to exit the uterus

  • Changes during labor to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal

What is cervical cancer?

Cancer generally occurs when cells continue to multiply without control. In cervical cancer, these dividing cells can form growths or tumors that can extend and invade nearby organs like the uterus, vagina, and ovaries. There are two main types of cervical cancer, which differ in where the cancer began:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma – this cervical cancer begins in the ectocervix, where squamous cells are

  • Adenocarcinoma – this cervical cancer develops in the endocervix, where the glandular cells are found

What causes cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is caused by the virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV, which is a virus that can be spread by skin-to-skin contact in the genital area or through sexual activity.

Like any other virus, it is possible for your body to fight an HPV infection. But when it encounters a high-risk type of HPV and your immune system fails to fight it off for years, it can lead to abnormal cell growth and cancer.

It’s important to consider that aside from the virus, risk factors contribute to women developing cervical cancer, which include having a weak immune system, the presence of other sexually transmitted infections, multiple sexual partners, family history of cervical cancer, smoking, or inhaling secondhand smoke.

Fortunately, years of research and development helped create the HPV vaccine, which can prevent HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer. You can learn more about HPV vaccines with this guide.

How can we prevent cervical cancer?

Get vaccinated before becoming sexually active!

HPV vaccination is a highly effective method to be protected from the high-risk HPV types that cause most cervical cancers. 

It is recommended for girls and boys aged 9 years old and above. However, it is most effective before exposure to the virus, which is usually before you get sexually active.

Ready to take this preventive step? You can book to get your HPV vaccine and can even get it at the comfort of your home through Kindred’s HPV Vaccine Home Service.

Book a cervical cancer screening test.

Since precancers caused by abnormal cervical cells rarely show any symptoms, it is important for women to be screened for cell abnormalities or even precancers. This can be done through an HPV test or the most common screening technique, the Pap smear.

If you wish to get a more comprehensive look into your cervical health, Kindred offers a Cervical Cancer and HPV Package, which includes a Pap test and an OBGYN consultation on whether or not you need tests like the HPV test or any other lab and imaging tests.

Manage and quickly treat signs of precancers.

If your cervical screening tests come out as positive for HPV, you can still prevent cervical cancer if you get precancers treated right away. Medical doctors have developed painless and safe ways to treat precancers, which involve burning, freezing, or removing the abnormal cells or tissue.

You can also add another layer of protection!

Physical barriers during sexual activity, like condoms, can be an additional measure to vaccination and screening since condoms can not completely prevent sexually-transmitted infections like HPV infections. And so, exposure to HPV is still likely with this alone, especially in the parts of the body not covered by it. Remember, skin-to-skin contact is one of the ways that HPV can spread!

No woman should feel scared and suffer from a preventable cancer.

Here at Kindred, we aim to empower women through their health by providing the information and the services needed to be healthy and strong. With the right facts about prevention and precancer treatment strategies, as well as support, you can be safe against cervical cancer.

If you want to learn more or have questions about cervical cancer, when to get the HPV vaccine, and how screenings work, feel free to talk to our board-certified OBGYN by booking a consultation. 

Last medically reviewed on July 15, 2025.