Ang Pahayagan

More than 70 women from Zambales and Olongapo City participated in a two-day gynecologic cancer awareness mission held on September 12–13. Forty of them underwent free gynecological check-ups and screening, and ten were selected for surgical procedures to address serious conditions such as ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, pelvic infection, and pelvic organ prolapse.

The activity was organized by the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of the Philippines (SGOP) in cooperation with the OB-GYNs of James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital, with support from Councilor Dr. Louella “Lala” Aquino and MediSpecialist. It also gathered the help of the Rotary Club of San Marcelino, the Rotary Club of Subic Pearl, and the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine.

Alongside the check-ups and surgeries, the mission featured a lay forum on gynecologic cancers and a medical symposium attended by twenty OB-GYNs, who earned CPD units and certificates. Biopsies were likewise performed for patients with suspected cancer cases.

📸 Dr. Keno Lorenzo Ong of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of the Philippines (SGOP) discusses gynecologic cancers with around 20 OB-GYNs during a medical symposium.

To ensure the program’s impact continues beyond the two-day event, Dr. Aquino brought along barangay health workers from San Marcelino for training, preparing them to extend cancer awareness and patient referrals in their communities. “Our barangay health workers will serve as our case-finding warriors,” she said, “helping identify women at risk and linking them to specialists so that we can detect cancers earlier and save more lives.”

Organizers emphasized that active case-finding is a crucial step in early detection. While limited resources for biopsies posed a challenge, the mission succeeded in strengthening networks of care and bringing essential services closer to women in Zambales and Olongapo.

📸 San Marcelino Councilor Dr. Louella “Lala” Aquino with the “case-finding warriors”—Barangay Health Workers led by Pres. Wilma Gabriel—together with MediSpecialist Clinic midwives and staff who joined the gyne checkups and helped build the gyne network.

Dr. Aquino also highlighted the broader importance of prevention, stressing that women’s health should always be a priority. “Prevention is the key. Gynecologic cancers can be detected early, and many lives can be saved if women take that first step to consult their doctor. I encourage every woman to have regular check-ups and Pap smears, and to never ignore the warning signs. As both a doctor and a public servant, my commitment is to help bring these services closer to our communities so that no woman is left behind when it comes to healthcare.”

TOP 📸 OB-GYN doctors from James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of the Philippines (SGOP) conduct pre-operative preparations during the surgical mission on September 13.