Cebu City Forum Showcases Transformative Approach to Cervical Cancer Prevention
A pivotal dissemination forum, titled "Establishing Cervical Cancer Secondary Prevention Services in Highly Urbanized Settings," was recently convened at Citadines Hotel Cebu. This significant gathering united health leaders, policymakers, civil society organizations, and dedicated advocates to spotlight the profound impact of the Centralized Laboratory Model for HPV Screening (CLAMS) Project Phase 2. The forum's core mission was to underscore the project's critical role in fortifying early detection and treatment protocols for cervical cancer within Cebu City.
The Urgent Global and Local Challenge
Cervical cancer remains a formidable public health threat, ranking as the second most common cancer among women in the Philippines. Tragically, the disease claims the lives of approximately 12 Filipino women every single day. On a global scale, cervical cancer results in over 300,000 annual fatalities, with the majority occurring in low- and middle-income nations. This persistent mortality is particularly alarming given that cervical cancer is highly preventable through a combination of HPV vaccination, consistent screening, and prompt treatment of precancerous lesions.
The primary culprit behind the vast majority of cervical cancer cases is persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). While HPV molecular testing stands as the recommended gold standard for detecting these high-risk types, countless women continue to face significant barriers to screening. These obstacles include prohibitive costs, geographical distance to healthcare facilities, and a complex array of other access challenges that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
The CLAMS 2 Project: A Systems-Based Solution
In direct response to these persistent systemic gaps in screening and follow-up care, the CLAMS 2 Project introduced a comprehensive, systems-based intervention. The project's innovative strategy centers on a centralized laboratory model for HPV DNA testing. This model is bolstered by a robust hub-and-spoke system designed for efficient service delivery and a significantly strengthened specimen referral network. Together, these integrated components were engineered to simultaneously enhance both access to screening and the continuity of care for patients.
The project's implementation from January to November 2025 yielded measurable and encouraging results in Cebu City. Screening coverage experienced a notable surge, rising from less than 1 percent to 3 percent of the target population. Perhaps even more critically, the project achieved an 80 percent success rate in linking women who screened positive for HPV to essential clinical care. This marks a substantial improvement over previous years, where a distressing number of women with abnormal or positive screening results were tragically lost to follow-up.
Voices from the Frontlines of Care
"This initiative powerfully demonstrates that with the right systems firmly in place, we can effectively bridge long-standing gaps in women's health services," stated Dr. Vanessa Tawi, Cebu City Cervical Cancer Control Program Manager. "The results affirm that a coordinated, systems-based approach can significantly improve early detection rates and, most importantly, ensure women receive the life-saving care they need in a timely manner."
Beyond the immediate increase in screening numbers, stakeholders at the forum emphasized that the project's true legacy lies in its capacity to strengthen local health systems. The initiative has enhanced the ability to maintain seamless continuity of care across the entire spectrum—from community awareness campaigns and initial screening to diagnosis, referral, and final treatment. Key innovations in workforce capacity building, alongside the establishment of robust data systems, clear governance structures, and standardized clinical pathways, have collectively enabled the delivery of more responsive and patient-centered services within urban primary healthcare settings.
"We have witnessed firsthand how bringing essential services closer to women, while simultaneously ensuring the strength of referral systems, can genuinely save lives," explained Dr. Daisy Villa, Cebu City Health Officer. "This endeavor is not merely about expanding service offerings; it is fundamentally about making them accessible, responsive, and truly centered on the unique needs of women."
Scaling Success and Forging a Path Forward
The dissemination forum also functioned as a vital platform for sharing critical lessons learned and aligning regional priorities for the future. A central focus was on scaling up HPV testing and seamlessly integrating it into routine primary care services throughout Central Visayas. Participants unanimously highlighted that strengthened collaboration among government agencies, hospitals, and development partners is absolutely critical to sustaining the hard-won gains and expanding the project's reach to more communities.
Dr. Ingrid Magnata, Country Program Manager of Jhpiego Philippines, underscored the broader, national significance of the Cebu initiative. "The CLAMS 2 Project provides compelling evidence that effective cervical cancer prevention is an achievable goal, even within complex urban environments," she said. "By methodically strengthening health systems and implementing safeguards to ensure women are not lost along the care pathway, we are taking decisive steps toward the ultimate goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat."
As the Philippines vigorously advances its national cervical cancer elimination agenda, the Cebu City experience now stands as a powerful, evidence-based model ready for replication across the archipelago. This model prioritizes not only technological and procedural innovation but, more importantly, tangible impact—ensuring that a greater number of women are screened, diagnosed at an early stage, and treated promptly.
The forum concluded with a renewed and urgent call for sustained investment and deepened collaboration from all sectors. The collective aim is clear: to expand these proven, life-saving interventions across the entire region and beyond, turning the promise of elimination into a nationwide reality.
