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A multi-sectoral coalition led by the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network (CECAP) and the Cancer Institute Foundation (CIF), Bravehearts is dedicated to raising awareness on cervical cancer prevention. It is currently supported by a growing number of women, including prominent personalities such as Se. Loren Legarda, Rina Jimenez David, Ellen Tordesillas, Atty. Gaby Concepcion and Suzi Entrata.

The Cancer Institute Foundation (CIF) and the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network (CECAP)

Founded in 2001, the CIF is a non-stock, non-profit organization based in Manila, Philippines which supports the Cancer Institute (CI) of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and its accredited cancer management network institutions with clinical, research, advocacy and financial assistance for the prevention and treatment of cancer. This commitment springs from the Foundation's view that the promotion of health and welfare is a responsibility not of just one but all: that the government, individuals or groups, given a vehicle like the foundation, they will generously share their time, efforts and resources with their fellowmen who are ill but have little means to get well.

The Cervical Cancer Prevention Network (CECAP) under the CIF is an alliance of organizations from the private and public sector, including health professionals and other concerned non-government agencies that are all committed in eliminating cervical cancer among Filipino women.

Fast Facts About Cervical Cancer:

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, with 500, 000 new cases and 250, 000 deaths reported each year. Over 80% of cases occur in developing countries including the Philippines, where it is ranked as the second most common cancer afflicting Filipino women. Yet few women realize that cervical cancer is actually treatable if diagnosed early.

Preventing Cervical Cancer through the Single Visit Approach (SVA), Cryotheraphy and Vaccination:

One of the primary goals of CECAP is to fund cervical cancer screenings throughout the Philippines by using the Single Visit Approach (SVA) and on-the spot treatment through cryotheraphy.

SVA: The SVA combines both screening and treatment in one session. It uses an affective, 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 and requires much less equipment and time investment than PAP smear.

Cryotheraphy: a process where the areas with lesions are frozen using a common liquid coolant like carbon dioxide, effectively eliminating the abnormality and preventing possible progression to cancer.

Vaccination: GlaxoSmithKline's cervical cancer vaccine provides significant protection for women against the two most common cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV) types (HPV types 16 and 18) for nearly six and a half years, the longest duration of protection reported to date. In fact, the GSK cervical cancer vaccine does not demonstrate, at the moment, the need for booster shot even after 6 years of vaccination. HPV types 16 and 18, together, are responsible for over 70 percent of cervical cancer cases in Asia Pacific. GSK's cervical cancer vaccine has also shown efficacy against persistent infection caused by 12 other cancer-causing HPV types beyond HPV 16 and 18. Designed for both young and mature women, females from 10 years old onwards can be vaccinated using GSK's cancer vaccine.