Every woman bestfriend...pap smear. (Health and Technology).

Elena Romero, 47, remembers the time when she first realized something was wrong. Last year, during her menstrual periods, she began experiencing painful urination and lower hack and abdomen pains.

She suspected that it had something to do with her urinary tract, but she was not sure. She did not consult a doctor, thinking the pains would go away.

However, the pains, which always came during her menstruation period, went on for four months.

Finally, Manang Elena decided to see her obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyne). She decided to have a pap smear test.

After some tests, she found out that she had a cyst in one of her fallopian tubes and in her uterus. The doctor told her that they would observe the cyst for two months to find out if it was benign or malignant.

When she had her check-up after two months, her doctor told her the, cysts had grown significantly She had myoma.

The doctor advised that the best way to deal with the problem and to prevent recurrences would be to remove her fallopian tubes and uterus. After consulting her husband, she agreed.

With her family's support, the operation was accomplished and she quickly recovered.

Reflecting on her experience, she says it has given her a new perspective on women's health and the need for women to have regular medical check-ups, whether one is single, married, young, or old.

Like many other Filipino women, Manang Elena admits she has taken her health for granted. "I didn't have medical check-ups because I didn't feel anything," she said.

This is a common attitude among most women. In a society where poverty is the norm, Filipino women, particularly homemakers, prioritize their basic needs and that of their families first and their own health last.

Unsurprisingly, studies in recent years reveal an alarming increase in the number of cancer cases among women in the Philippines.

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) report that cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. There are approximately 4,376 new cases of cervical cancer, with 2,126 deaths a year. On the other hand, there are approximately 1,000 cases of endometrial cancer in a year, while ovarian cancer accounts for approximately 1, 823 new cases yearly.

As Manang Elena relates, when she went to the hospital, she saw that a lot of other Filipino women were being treated for myoma. She realized then that women are very prone to sicknesses.

That is why health professionals advise women to have regular check-ups. In particular, they want women to have pap smear tests once a year to detect cervical cancers and other abnormal conditions. Pap smear tests can indicate if some cells are changing normally or abnormally so that proper medical intervention may be done.

Pap smears are done by gently scraping a sample from the cervix and analysing the sample for cancer and other abnormal conditions.

What women should realize is that reproductive health is also a basic need and that it is as important as the other basic needs they strive to fulfill. Women should begin to be health conscious so that these diseases can be prevented. They should also know where to go for medical help if their health is in danger. Developing proper healthy practices will go a long way in ensuring a better quality and quantity of life for women.