Current Status of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer in the Philippines

Abstract

Cervical cancer is estimated to cause 341,831 deaths each year, with 9 of 10 deaths occurring in developing countries. Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in cervical cancer incidence among women in the Philippines. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the well-established necessary cause of cervical cancer. Based on limited studies conducted in the Philippines, the prevalence of infection with any HPV genotype was 93.8% for cervical squamous cell carcinoma and 90.9% for cervical adenocarcinomas. HPV types 16 and 18 were the most common HPV genotypes among Filipino patients with cervical cancer. On the other hand, the incidence of HPV infection among Filipino women with normal cervices was 9.2%. The World Health Organization has launched a global agenda of eliminating HPV infection by 2030. One of its key milestones is to vaccinate 90% of girls with the HPV vaccine by 15 years. However, the HPV vaccination rate among Filipino women remains to be unsatisfactory. HPV vaccination has only been included in the Philippine Department of Health's community-based National Immunization Program in 2015. Despite these efforts, the Philippines currently ranks last on HPV program coverage among low-middle income countries, with coverage of only 23% of the target female population for the first dose and 5% for the final dose. The principal reason for the non-acceptance of HPV vaccines was the perceived high cost of vaccination. The low utilization of available cervical cancer screening tests such as Pap smear and visual inspection with acetic acid hampered the Philippines' control and prevention of HPV infection and cervical cancer. Among those diagnosed with cervical cancer in the Philippines, only an estimated 50% to 60% receive some form of treatment. To this end, we summarize the burden of HPV infection and cervical cancer on Filipinos and the risk factors associated with the disease. We present the current screening, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of HPV-related diseases in the Philippines. Lastly, we also propose solutions on how each building block in health systems can be improved to eliminate HPV infection and reduce the burden of cervical cancer in the Philippines.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward Cervical Cancer Screening Among Female University Students in Ishaka Western Uganda

“… 8 HPV has a global prevalence of 99.7% among women with cervical carcinomas. 8 HPV has got numerous genotypes responsible for both anogenital and non-genital warts, however, carcinogenesis is mostly seen in high-risk or carcinogenic genotypes. 8 HPV types 16 and 18 contribute to around 70% of CC cases globally, while types 31, 33, 35, 45, 52, and 58 account for about 20% of the cases.…”

“… 8 HPV types 16 and 18 contribute to around 70% of CC cases globally, while types 31, 33, 35, 45, 52, and 58 account for about 20% of the cases. 8 …”

“…[4][5][6][7] The link between HPV infection and CC has been well-known for a long time. 8 HPV has a global prevalence of 99.7% among women with cervical carcinomas. 8 HPV has got numerous genotypes responsible for both anogenital and non-genital warts, however, carcinogenesis is mostly seen in high-risk or carcinogenic genotypes.…”

“…8 HPV has got numerous genotypes responsible for both anogenital and non-genital warts, however, carcinogenesis is mostly seen in high-risk or carcinogenic genotypes. 8 HPV types 16 and 18 contribute to around 70% of CC cases globally, while types 31, 33, 35, 45, 52, and 58 account for about 20% of the cases. 8 Cervical cancer is preventable, with possibility of complete treatment if detected early, 8 as cervical cancer evolves slowly from detectable precancerous lesions in its metastatic stage.…”

“…8 HPV types 16 and 18 contribute to around 70% of CC cases globally, while types 31, 33, 35, 45, 52, and 58 account for about 20% of the cases. 8 Cervical cancer is preventable, with possibility of complete treatment if detected early, 8 as cervical cancer evolves slowly from detectable precancerous lesions in its metastatic stage. 9 The inculcation of a regular screening uptake and routine checkup among women of reproductive age is the sure way of reducing the incidence of cervical cancer 9 and subsequent reduction in cervical-cancer-related deaths among women in Uganda.…”