HPV Stories

Q: Where did the idea to put a message sticker on the box of sanitary pads come from?

Aldo

Pier Giorgio and I like to brainstorm to come up with ideas to raise awareness of HPV because we feel that educating the public on health risks that can be easily prevented is so important. In this activity within MTCC, we have been partnering with LILT (Italian League Against Tumors - Rome Chapter), and with the Federico Calabresi Foundation (both of which are also partners of the IHAD Campaign).

The HPV vaccine became available in 2006, making it one of the more recent relevant advancements in public health. Today, 17 years later, an array of information policies is still urgently needed to raise awareness and understanding of HPV among various target audiences in the general public. However, prevention messages are particularly challenging to deliver effectively; how does one grab people’s attention?

We decided to try something similar to what is done on tobacco packaging (and may be adopted for alcoholic beverages); let’s use the box of female hygiene products like sanitary pads as a vehicle for sharing positive messages with women about cervical cancer prevention.

Q: How did you find a manufacturer of sanitary pads to work with?

Maisam

Like most things in life, it helps to know people. When Pier Giorgio suggested the idea of putting a message sticker on the sanitary pad box, I realized that I have contacts at a leading company in Jordan that makes these products. I spoke with representatives there, and they quickly produced a sample of 220 boxes with stickers to share with attendees at the workshop we organized on HPV Awareness Day in Jordan - June 6th. It made quite an impression on the gynecologists and other healthcare professionals at the meeting.

However, such stickers presented practical issues for mass production. Unless the product package is redesigned (which is a lot to ask of a manufacturer), a sticker will cover up other messages (some of which are mandatory). The solution we came up with is to put a point-of-sale sign with the same message on the shelves everywhere their products are sold. So that’s what this company will do! In every supermarket and pharmacy throughout the country where their products are available, there will be a sign on the shelf saying: ‘Be informed. Be Screened. Be vaccinated. Don’t’ fear the smear.’ We think this is a good step forward. The signs are nearly ready, we are just finalizing the appropriate positioning of logos to keep a distinction between academic interests and commercial involvement.

We also thought of a related messaging vehicle - to create stickers on the packaging of the large sanitary pads that are given for free to mothers who have just given birth in hospital. We plan to produce several thousand of these pads and distribute them to maternity units in hospitals around the country.  

Q: About the wording of the message: screening gets mentioned before vaccination, why? And HPV is not specifically mentioned, was that intentional?

Q: Can you share your thoughts about addressing the ‘fear’ of getting screened?

Maisam

Our health is the most precious thing we have. Getting screened opens up the possibility of discovering that something is not quite right, and further attention is needed. That can feel scary, when in fact the sooner doctors know what the situation is, the greater the chance is of putting it right.

Perhaps a woman assumes that going for the next scheduled screening is unnecessary because earlier results were clear. This is flawed thinking; the past does not predict the future.

Maybe there is simply a lack of awareness of how important cervical screening is for early detection of abnormal or pre-cancerous cells, which can be treated before cancer develops.

Let me say it this way: Cervical screening can save your life.

Q: Is access to cervical screening and treatment sufficient in Jordan if all those eligible for screening should decide to do it?

Maisam

Yes, cervical screening and treatment are available to women here. Of course, it’s easier in urban settings. To reach women who live in more remote areas, public health services and local healthcare providers have a plan to deploy mobile labs with a trained pathologist to provide ‘screen and treat’ solutions. The mobile labs will pass through these areas once a week on average. This will improve the level of early detection, which is crucial. Cancer treatment is financially supported by the Jordanian government.

Q: Do you think there is a role for men to support the women in their lives to take action to prevent developing cervical cancer?  

Aldo & Pier Giorgio

HPV diseases are not confined to women. Men need to be made aware that HPV presents risk of cancer for them as well. For example, HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the head, throat, and neck) occurs more often in men than in women. Men should learn about the topic and take action to protect their health and the health of the women in their lives. We need their involvement in accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer – an exciting, first-time occurrence!

Q: Do you have advice for other HPV awareness advocates who want to launch similar campaigns in their countries?

Aldo

If you mean trying to replicate the ‘message sticker’ on sanitary pad packages, general advice is hard to offer because every situation is so different. In Jordan, it was Maisam’s personal connection with people working for the company manufacturing this product that made all the difference. However, MTCC members in other countries in the region know about this initiative, and we hope to see similar initiatives spring up elsewhere.

Maisam

When there is an opportunity to prevent disease, we need to influence the attitudes of both healthcare providers as well as patients. It’s not always easy to change systems, but with effort, we can change the mentality of people. Late diagnosis of cervical cancer leads to deaths that can be prevented. Even one death is one mother, wife, daughter, or sister too many.

Pier Giorgio

At MTCC, we encourage to explore new HPV awareness strategies. if it’s not this, try something else. Visit schools. Raising awareness and stimulating people to take action to protect their health through vaccination, screening, and timely treatment, literally saves lives. Every action, big or small, is always superior to the devastating effect of inaction.