Are You Ready to Prevent Cervical Cancer?

Hey it's been a little over three years since I obsessed about getting my HPV vaccine (0-1-6 month doses) to reduce my odds of contracting cervical cancer. I would travel all the way to Makati just to get the shots, and it's mostly because back then they were at an affordable Php1,800 a pop. More than three years after the scare-mongering is over, here I am getting all riled up now that reports suggest that cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipinas. Two out of three Filipinas that have been diagnosed with cervical cancer could even die within five years. Plus, this type of cancer affects any woman, regardless of age or socio-economic status. With 99.7 percent of cervical cancer patients being positive for HPV infection, it really doesn't hurt to get your cervix regularly checked. So what's HPV? Also known as the human papillomavirus, the virus that causes genital warts, and comes in various strains! Primarily transmitted via sexual intercourse and skin-to-skin genital contact, the virus is best avoided by being ever vigilant when it comes to one's sexual activities. The Filipino public needs to be informed about the complications of unprotected sex (I'm looking at you, the Philippine Catholic Church) and it's nice to know that the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (WHO-SAGE) on Immunization, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and VMV Hypoallergenics have teamed up to boost cervical cancer awareness in the Philippines.

Andi Manzano putting her Power Pout against Cervical Cancer

Andi Manzano, Reyes Vanee Gosiengfiao (Business Development Director, GSK), Dr. Esther Ganzon, Gypsy Abilla, Marie Cortez and Mark Castillo

With the Power Pout campaign, though, women are encouraged to show support by wearing purple lipstick. Not sure why purple... maybe because it's a striking color?

According to Mark Castillo, GSK product manager, wearing lipstick is akin to women empowerment. He says, "Cancer is quite a distant concept for women who are well. What might be more important to them is keeping up with the latest trends, especially in fashion and beauty. The lipstick is a woman’s own—when she wears it, she makes a statement about herself. Through this partnership with VMV, we hope to drive women to make a statement against cervical cancer,”

And for Jacklyn Remo, assistant marketing manager for VMV Hypoallergenics: “We are fully committed toward this partnership with GSK Philippines. At VMV Hypoallergenics, we promise the safest, most proven effective care on the planet—and that extends to beauty. This unique combination of science, wellness and beauty means we also strongly stand for advocacies that help women, their health and happiness.”

Would you like to join the movement? Just take a photo of yourself wearing VMV Hypoallergenics’ Tutu or Chorus Line lipstick (or a photo of you holding your kiss mark from the lipstick) and post it on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtags #PowerPout and #PowerOverCervicalCancer!