PHMC PRIVACY NOTICE

The Perpetual Help Medical Center (PHMC) respects the privacy rights of all individuals and is committed to handling personal data responsibly and in accordance with the Republic Act 10173, known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, and its pertinent rules and regulations, because your privacy is important to us.

This is not a consent form but this is PHMC’s general statement on its data processing activities to notify Data Subjects of Personal Data processed and the purpose and extent of processing. PHMC may further provide other notices at the time of specific activities.

PHMC collects the following data: 1) Personal details- name, birth, gender, civil status and affiliations; 2) Contact information- address, email, mobile and telephone numbers; 3) Medical information- physical, psychiatric and psychological information; 4)Employment information- government-issued numbers, position and functions; 5)Applicant information- academic background and previous employments; 6) Academic information- grades, course and academic standing; 7) Supplier and 3rd Party Provider information- company profile, DTI/ SEC registration, business permits and licenses, BIR registration and other business related information. PHMC may likewise collect other information that it believes are relevant to meet the requirements of government authorities and for any other legitimate purposes.

PHMC processes data to: 1) Conduct its functions, perform its obligations, and exercise its rights as a healthcare service provider; 2) Act for the holistic welfare of patients, service recipients, and their respective representatives and companions; and, 3) Manage its affairs as a company, medical, and educational institution with its own obligations and rights.

The PHMC Website uses cookies to personalize the user’s browsing experience, link to social media sharing, troubleshoot issues, and monitor site visits and NOT in any way collect personal information for any form of processing.

PHMC collects Personal Data through submission by the Data Subject and by affiliates through electronic systems and platforms, e-forms, email, or through printed forms, attachments, and other documents required by its medical and administrative offices at the onset of service, transaction or processing. With regard to personal data from affiliates, PHMC maintains a Data Sharing Agreement particularizing the obligations of the parties thereto foremost of which is its protection and privacy.

PHMC collects Personal Data from Patient at entry points or upon registration at Inpatient, Outpatient and ER departments.

PHMC stores and protects data in physical and electronic forms: Managed by its medical and administrative offices, physical records in folders/ envelopes are ultimately stored in box files in shelves in a dedicated secured area while electronic records are stored in secured servers with high availability and redundancy.

PHMC collects and uses Personal Data proportionately as necessary for its legitimate purposes in providing best service to patients in accordance with the PHMC policies and in compliance with the DPA of 2012 and requirement of the Department of Health and other government bodies.

PHMC retains data in accordance with its policies on retention compliant to government rules and regulations, such as but not limited to, those from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), the Local Government Units (LGUs), among others.

Contact:Contact: Inquiries and concerns on data privacy may only be directed to PHMC Data Protection Office: PHMC

Address: Alabang-Zapote Road, Pamplona 3, Las Pinas 1704

Telephone: 8874-8515

Why Do You Need Pap Smear Treatment In Las Piñas?

Why do you need a pap smear treatment in Las Piñas?

When Do I Need To Get A Pap Smear?
What Happens During A Pap Smear?
Early Detection
Cancer Prevention

How do you determine if women are living a healthy lifestyle? Some may say through regular exercise and eating a proper diet. Although these are true, being a woman means you need additional maintenance for health and wellness. These include regular health screenings specifically needed for women. One of the most critical screenings women should do is getting a pap smear in Las Piñas at the Perpetual Help Medical Center.

Regular screenings may prolong your lifespan, improve your quality of living, or may even save your life. To learn more about pap smears and the reasons why you should be undergoing them, read on.

When Do I Need To Get A Pap Smear?

A gynecologist talking with a patient about a pap smear

The need for regular screening increases as you age. For pap smears, it is recommended that women over 21 get regular pap smears every three years, even if you don’t have cervical concerns. Some women who are sexually active, HIV-positive, or have weakened immune systems from chemotherapy or an organ transplant may need more frequent tests.

If you are over 30 and have had no negative pap smear results so far, a pap smear with an HPV screening should be done for the prevention of HPV. HPV is a virus that increases a women’s chance of getting cervical cancer. Regardless of your age, pap smears should be a part of your regular screenings because the HPV virus can suddenly become active after being dormant for a long period of time.

What Happens During A Pap Smear?

A patient about to get a pap smear

What is a pap smear? When undergoing a pap smear or a pap treatment, you will first be asked to lie back on the examination table with your knees up and with your feet inserted in stirrups. Then, they will insert a medical tool called the speculum into the vagina to thoroughly examine the cervix. This procedure isn’t painful, although you may feel a slight pinching or pressure. Ultimately, they take a sample of the cervical cells using a spatula to send them for testing.

Remember to let your doctor know if you are on your period because menstruating can affect your pap smear results. To increase its accuracy, if sexually active, avoid sexual intercourse a day before the test. Alongside this, avoid douching, using tampons, vaginal lubricants, and vaginal sprays as well.

Early Detection

A woman showing her scars after surgery

As stated above, pap smears can easily determine if you have abnormal cervical cells that can put you at risk for HPV and cervical cancer. Your gynecologist can also detect if you have gonorrhea, chlamydia, or other sexually transmitted diseases. With an early diagnosis, highly effective treatment is usually possible. If left untreated, these precancerous tumors will gradually grow in large numbers, become cancerous, and even spread to other parts of the body.

Cancer Prevention

A teal ribbon signifying fight against cervical cancer

A pap smear is typically done or recommended as a screening procedure for cervical cancer. This procedure can help prevent cancer by determining the abnormal cells that are present on the cervix. It can then immediately be removed before they turn into cancerous cells. In fact, studies show that cervical cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths back in the day. The numbers were greatly lowered once pap smears became readily available.

One of the reasons why women are highly recommended to take pap smears is because most women don’t experience cervical cancer symptoms until it has progressed to an advanced stage. However, schedule a pap smear immediately if you are undergoing these common cervical cancer symptoms:

Vaginal bleeding when not on period
Excessive heavy flow
Foul order of vaginal discharge
Pain during sexual intercourse
Pelvic pain
Pain when urinating

Key Takeaway

Along with doing regular exercise, stress management, eating a healthy diet, and consuming vitamins, undergoing a pap smear in Las Piñas is also vital to promote good health. Remember that the best cure for any health concern is prevention. Your cervical disease is preventable and can be managed much better if identified earlier on. Your doctors at the Perpetual Help Medical Center are most familiar with your health needs so it is best to take their advice to improve the quality of your life.