Although cervical cancer is preventable, it remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with 90% of deaths occurring in low & middle income countries (LMICs). This unequal burden is due, in part, to lack of education about cervical cancer, its causes and means of preventing it, including the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. GO's comic book dispels myths & misconceptions associated with all cancers and teaches readers of all ages the importance of getting vaccinated to prevent cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer globally, with an estimated 570K new cases in 2018 and about 90% of deaths occurring in LMICs. As cervical cancer is highly preventable-and treatable when detected early-these deaths are avoidable. A reason for this unequal burden is lack of education about cervical cancer, its causes and the means of preventing it, including the HPV vaccine. In counties where the vaccine is available, people must be educated about its urgency and safety.
By using engaging art and a compelling narrative, GO's comic book-dispels myths and misconceptions generally associated with all cancers and teaches readers the importance of getting vaccinated to prevent cervical cancer. The goal is to introduce this engaging educational comic to children and adolescents in their classrooms who will, in turn, share the comic with the adults in their lives, thereby achieving widespread reach and improved uptake of the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer prevention.
Vaccines have been effective at either eliminating, or virtually eliminating, an array of deadly diseases including smallpox, polio, measles and influenza. The HPV vaccine has every ability prevent the spread of HPV and make cervical cancer a disease of the past-but only if the global community takes responsibility to make the vaccine available and educate & encourage people to receive it. GO's vision is to work with students & schools in LMICs to expand our comic series to additional diseases.
