CLAMS Model Could Help Filipino Women Detect Cervical Cancer Early

by Alexa Villano
September 2, 2025

Every day, Filipino women die from a disease that’s almost entirely preventable: cervical cancer. But a new screening model known as CLAMS could offer moms and daughters a fighting chance through early detection

Cervical cancer is often called a “silent killer” because symptoms don’t usually appear until the disease is already advanced. In the Philippines, nearly 75% of cervical cancer cases are diagnosed at a late stage, and tragically, about 68% of women die within a year of diagnosis.¹

^{AVPN. The Social Determinants of HPV and Cervical Cancer in a Foreign Land. https://avpn.asia/resources/blog/the-socialdeterminants-of-hpv-and-cervical-cancer-in-a-foreign-land/. Accessed August 4, 2025.}

Every day, Filipino women die from a disease that’s almost entirely preventable: cervical cancer. But a new screening model known as CLAMS could offer moms and daughters a fighting chance through early detection

A New Model for Prevention

To address this, leaders from the health, development, and government sectors came together to spotlight the results of the Centralized Laboratory Model for HPV DNA Screening (CLAMS) pilot project — first rolled out in 2023 across five urban areas in Metro Manila: Manila, Quezon City, Navotas, Taguig, and Muntinlupa.

This project, implemented in partnership with health officials and global health nonprofit Jhpiego, brings HPV DNA testing directly into communities through a centralized testing model, allowing for earlier, more accurate detection of high-risk HPV infections.

Unlike traditional Pap smears or visual inspection methods, HPV DNA tests can detect the virus before it causes cellular changes that lead to cancer. This means women can be treated before the disease progresses — a key factor in improving survival rates.

In its aim to fight cervical cancer, stakeholders from health, development, local, and national government gathered last month to highlight the findings of the first Centralized Laboratory Model for HPV DNA Screening (CLAMS) pilot project, which was first rolled out in 2023.

Awareness is the first step—women need to know how early screening can impact their health,” said Navotas City Administrator Dr. Christia Padolina.

“Next is accessibility: if testing is available in health centers, women can take it conveniently through self-sampling without burdening our healthcare system.”

Making Screening Accessible and Comfortable

For many women, especially mothers juggling daily responsibilities, getting screened for cervical cancer can feel intimidating, uncomfortable, or out of reach.

But the CLAMS model is working to change that.

Using an innovative hub-and-spoke system, the program allows women to collect their own cervical samples through self-sampling kits, which are then transported to centralized laboratories for processing using high-throughput PCR testing.

“Self-sampling is a game changer because it removes barriers of discomfort and stigma,” said Dr. Ingrid Magnata, Country Program Manager of Jhpiego Philippines. “This system ensures accuracy and efficiency without needing a full hospital setup. It’s scalable, effective, and can be easily integrated into local health services — helping more women access life-saving screening.”

What’s Next for CLAMS?

Following the success of its initial run, the second phase of the CLAMS program is expanding to Cebu, Davao City, and scaling further in Taguig. The goal: increase follow-up treatment rates, digitize national health data, and boost provider training and treatment capacity — all critical steps in building a stronger national cervical cancer prevention system.

Save Lives, One Test at a Time

Cervical cancer is preventable — but only if it’s caught early.

By making screening more accessible, accurate, and less intimidating, the CLAMS model is helping more Filipinas take charge of their health. And for many moms, that means not only protecting themselves, but also setting an example for their daughters.

It’s a step forward in saving lives — one test at a time.