THE MU SIGMA PHI Sorority of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, the oldest medical sorority in the country and the whole of Asia, is currently waging an information campaign on cervical cancer prevention in women.

Human papillovirus (HPV) infection, usually sexually transmitted, has been established as the main cause of cervical cancer. Most HPV infections occur without any symptoms and may go away even without any treatment over time.

However, some HPV infections cause cervical cancer, and may also play a role in cancers of the anus, vagina, penis, as well as mouth and throat cancers. So not only females can fall victim to HPV infection. Even males can be at risk, too. And not only the sexual or reproductive organs are attacked by the virus. Other organs, as well may be affected leading to life-threatening complications.

The sorority has been conducting roundtable discussions (RTDs) to raise awareness and correct misimpressions about this silent killer, which can afflict women in their 40s and 50s. Celebrities like Cory Quirino and lawyer Adel Tamano are supporting the sorority in their information campaign.

?I?m here to support because I believe that if men care about their partners, they should also know more,? Tamano said during one of the RTDs organized by the sorority. In the same RTD, Quirino emphasized the importance of a healthy and moral lifestyle in preventing HPV infection and cervical cancer. Medical literatures report that having multiple sexual partners is a strong predisposing risk to HPV infection.

The celebrity supporters also joined top fashion models in the very successful sorority-sponsored gala dinner and fashion show dubbed as ?Brilyante: The Empowered Woman? held at the Tent in Fort Bonifacio recently. Proceeds of the fashion show go to their information campaign against cervical cancer as well as the other civic-oriented projects of the sorority.

Screening tests

The sorority hopes that with better knowledge on HPV infection and cervical cancer, early detection and cure can be attained. The main problem about this type of cancer is that symptoms such as vaginal bleeding may be absent during the early stages, so only a high index of suspicion can prod one to have the necessary screening tests done early enough.

Pap smear screening, easily done during one?s visit to one?s gynecologist, can identify potentially precancerous changes that may subsequently lead to cervical cancer. Some countries advocate the use of widespread cervical screening programs; and the incidence of invasive cervical cancer has been reduced by half or more in these countries.

Vaccines against HPV have been developed, but it is only effective against two strains of HPV that cause around 70 percent of cervical cancers. So it does not completely prevent one from getting the other minor strains of HPV. So, a morally healthy lifestyle plus regular Pap smear screening are still recommended.

Doctor Angel Bandola (?SF ?99) explained during one RTD that their sorority chose to promote awareness on HPV and cervical cancer because there are not much efforts to decrease the incidence of cervical cancer in the country, and most consult when their cancer is already in the advanced stage. She said the course of treatment for HPV costs P150,000 to P500,000, while availing of protection against it through education and other means like vaccination would cost much less.

The Mu Sigma Phi Sorority is now celebrating its diamond anniversary (75 years). Aside from the information campaign on HPV and cervical cancer, its other projects are the Mu Caravan, Tutok GaMUtan and Gawad Panitikang Pangkalusugan, which all aim to empower people through literacy and health education on various aspects to prevent common medical problems.

The exclusive sorority now has 1,351 sisters many of whom have been at the forefront in the practice of Medicine and other important fields. Sorority members include Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Chancellor Perla Santos-Ocampo, Chancellor Marita Reyes, Dean Amelia Fernandez, all MDs, Congresswomen Filomena Santiago-San Juan and Anna York Bondoc, MD.

Congratulations to the Mu Sigma Phi Sorority for its 75 years of leadership and service.