In the Philippines, cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer, killing 12 Filipino women every day. After seeing a Facebook post about a mobile screening for cervical cancer, high school teacher Joyce Caubat attended a mobile screening where she learned about HPV and the self-collection process. Joyce tested positive for HPV and received free treatment for precancerous lesions, marking the beginning of her advocacy journey. Now, she encourages other women to attend similar screenings. The SUCCESS project, supported by Jhpiego and the Philippines Department of Health, has helped over 45,000 women access vital cervical cancer screenings and treatment.
Like many women in the Philippines, Joyce Caubat, a 36-year-old high school teacher, didn’t know much about cervical cancer screening until she came across a Facebook post from the Women Workers for Health Empowerment Network (WHEN). They were sharing the news that the Quezon City Health Department was offering free cervical cancer screenings for women in the workplace. Intrigued and concerned about her health as she grew older, Joyce decided to get screened.
“I realized I wasn’t getting any younger, and I thought it would be a good idea to get checked,” she said. “It was my first time learning about the details of cervical cancer and screening.”
Every year, over 300,000 women die from cervical cancer globally, with most of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In the fight against cervical cancer, awareness and access to health services are crucial. In the Philippines, cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer, claiming the lives of 12 Filipino women daily. Despite being preventable and treatable when detected early, cervical cancer has persisted in the country due to low screening rates and poor precancer treatment coverage. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of cervical cancer and HPV DNA testing detects the presence of high-risk HPV types that can lead to cervical cancer. This test is now recommended as a primary screening tool, especially for women over 29 years old, because it simplifies screening and improves treatment outcomes.
Despite her initial concerns about the privacy, accuracy, and safety of the mobile screening set up at a community civic center in Quezon City, she was surprised to find that the HPV DNA testing involved self-collection. After registration, she received a self-collection kit containing a swab, tube, and collection cup, along with instructions on how to conduct the test in a small tent. She then submitted the specimen to the community health worker, who informed her of the next steps. She found the process safe, smooth, and empowering. This decision marked her first step on a journey that would not only help her take charge of her health but also enable her to advocate for other women.
“I told my co-teachers about it right after,” said Joyce. “I explained to them that it was not complicated and didn’t take much time. There was also a short briefing about cervical cancer, and they provided us with information about the prevention and treatment of precancerous lesions, which was helpful.”
Using the latest HPV DNA testing technology, Joyce is just one of many women in her community who performed HPV self-sampling. This is part of a larger national effort by the Department of Health, supported by partners like Jhpiego and community organizations, to introduce HPV molecular testing as a secondary prevention strategy, which focuses on early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions.
Self-sampling is increasingly more accessible to women in communities across the country. It demystifies and simplifies cervical cancer screening and encourages self-care and proactive health-seeking behavior, making lifesaving screening more accessible, acceptable, and empowering for women across the Philippines.
The Pathway to Care: From screening to treatment
After submitting her sample at the community civic center, Joyce received her results via text message. “My results said that I tested positive for HPV,” said Joyce. “The doctor explained that while it doesn’t mean I have cervical cancer, it’s a warning that I could develop it if left untreated.”
After receiving her results, Joyce went to a health facility in Batasan, Quezon City for treatment. There, she underwent thermal ablation—a safe and effective method to treat precancerous lesions using extreme heat to destroy precancerous lesions. “The doctor and nurse were very accommodating, and thankfully, the treatment was free,” said Joyce.
More than 45,000 women have benefited from Jhpiego’s work on the Scale-up Cervical Cancer Elimination with Secondary Prevention Strategy (SUCCESS) and Centralized Laboratory Model for HPV DNA Screening (CLAMS) projects over the past four years. Jhpiego works in partnership with the Philippines Department of Health, local governments, civil society, community organizations, and the private sector to increase access to screening and treatment technologies by addressing barriers to cervical cancer care, such as service delivery gaps, fragmented prevention efforts and lack of access, and low health-seeking behavior among women.
Funded by UNITAID and led by Expertise France, the SUCCESS Project aims to eliminate cervical cancer through secondary prevention in the Philippines and three other countries. The project has expanded cervical cancer prevention and precancer treatment services in collaboration with stakeholders. Since the project’s launch, 41,475 women in the Philippines have been screened for HPV to date, reflecting significant progress in early detection efforts. The Centralized Laboratory Model for HPV Screening (CLAMS) Project builds on this foundation, enhancing HPV screening capacity in urban areas and offering free screenings supported by Roche. In two years, CLAMS has screened 5,141 women in cities like Manila, Quezon City, Muntinlupa, and Cebu introducing cutting-edge cervical cancer prevention services to local communities.
Advocating for awareness and access
For Joyce, the experience has not only safeguarded her health but also inspired her to become an advocate for regular screening and treatment of precancerous lesions for women her age.
“I’m grateful. Services like these are so important, especially for women who can’t afford to get screened or treated in private hospitals,” she said. “Regular screening isn’t just about health—it’s an act of empowerment and self-care. By taking charge of your health, you also contribute to the well-being of your community and the future of the next generation.”
Geri Matthew Carretero is a communications specialist for Jhpiego in the Philippines.
Tracey Shissler, Project Director for the SUCCESS Project, reviewed this story.