Training and Education

Turma da Mônica Jovem (Monica’s Teen Gang, in free translation) stars in a comic book created to raise public awareness about the risks of HPV and the importance of vaccination in preventing several types of cancer. The characters from Turma da Mônica are extremely popular in Brazil and are part of the cultural memory of several generations. The publication was developed by the Mauricio de Sousa Cultural Institute, in partnership with the Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP) and the Comprehensive Center for Precision Oncology (C2PO), with guidance from professors at the University of São Paulo (USP).

Aimed at children and adolescents, the comic book presents accessible information about human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which can lead to cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and oropharynx, as well as genital warts. Cervical cancer, for example, is among the most common cancers affecting women in Brazil and is caused by HPV infection, with approximately 17,000 new cases per year, according to the National Cancer Institute (INCA).

HPV vaccination is safe, effective, and offered free of charge through the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). It is most effective when administered before the onset of sexual activity and is recommended primarily for girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 14.

The comic is available in digital format for free download on the ICESP website, after a brief registration. Printed copies were also produced and are being distributed free of charge through initiatives organized by ICESP, the Mauricio de Sousa Cultural Institute, and C2PO.