Purple reign: And the fight vs. cervical cancer rages on

MANILA, Philippines - Don’t be surprised if one of these days, you’ll find more and more women wearing a purple streak in their hair. The unique hairpiece, which is a lock of purple-colored hair, is clipped on or fastened with a barrette. It is not only a fashion statement but an open declaration of support for the cause of raising awareness about cervical cancer, the second most common cancer affecting women worldwide.

Abbygale Arenas-de Leon, beauty queen, supermodel, and professional image consultant, gamely wore and modeled the purple hairpiece at a luncheon event held recently at Kapitan Moy Restaurant in Marikina City to launch the partnership of The 3000 Club of the Philippines and Bravehearts, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness on cervical cancer prevention. Abbygale is currently the president of Bravehearts.

Here’s the grim fact: Every day, 12 Filipino women die of cervical cancer. “We have one of the lowest survival rates worldwide at 44 percent,” says Dr. Carrie Pacheco-Purugganan.

“The number can be reduced if only women were more aware of the disease and how to prevent it,” notes Bing Grande, president of The 3000 Club of the Philippines.

The club recently joined the fight against cervical cancer, using Marikina as their starting point where they conducted seminars on cervical cancer awareness and prevention. With the support of the Marikina City officials, the club has also organized cervical cancer screening clinics.

Many may already have the disease without knowing it. “That’s why it’s important to go to the doctor regularly, for early detection,” asserts Dr. Purugganan.

Cervical cancer is actually treatable if diagnosed early. In fact, the disease is preventable with simple vaccines. GSK’s cervical cancer vaccine provides significant protection for women against the two most common cancer-causing HPV types 16 and 18, for at least six and a half years, the longest duration of protection reported to date.

“Females from 10 years old can be vaccinated,” says Dr. Purugganan.

The SVA or single visit approach, which combines both screening and treatment in one session, is used since it was observed that many do not bother to return for treatment after screening if done separately. “It uses an effective, low-resource screening method called the Visual Inspection using Acetic Acid (VIA), a simple technique that uses vinegar to detect precancerous lesions on the cervix, which requires much less equipment and time investment than a Pap smear,” Dr. Purugganan explains.

In his speech, Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman expressed his support for the initiative which makes regular screening, using the simple technique of using ordinary vinegar, and preventive vaccination more accessible to his constituents, as well as promoting awareness among a broader base. Other officials who were present to give their support included DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, who is also an advocate, Vice Mayor Fabian Cadiz, Congressman Miro Quimbo.

Also present were Ethel Luzario and Lon Taylor, co-founders of The 3000 Club International, which is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.

The purple “Hairpiece for Hope” was inspired by a 3000 Club member who wore a hairpiece for three months to raise awareness for a cause. “We do hope that our fellow Filipinas can join us in wearing this hairpiece,” Abbygale enjoins everyone. “This simple act can do wonders for our cause. Not only does it encourage people to learn more about cervical cancer and how it can be prevented, it also pays tribute to women everywhere.”