Manila, July 3 -- Early screening and vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is gaining momentum in this city with more women and children wanting to avail of these health services for free courtesy of the government.

On Thursday, women and girls aged nine to 14 years lined up at the Laoag City Centennial Arena for the free screening for adult women and the administration of anti-HPV vaccine to young girls, the primary target population, to protect them from cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of death among women.

"Cervical cancer is very preventable and treatable if it is screened and detected early," Dr. Adolavni Magpily, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist in the province who is leading an awareness campaign on ce...