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ICESP, Instituto Cultural Mauricio de Sousa, and C2PO launch a special “Turma da Mônica Jovem” edition

On November 27, 2024, National Cancer Awareness Day, the auditorium of the Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP) hosted the launch of a special edition comic book from the “Turma da Mônica Jovem series. The initiative was developed in partnership between the Instituto Cultural Mauricio de Sousa, ICESP, and the Comprehensive Center for Precision Oncology (C2PO).

The story was created by the Instituto Cultural Mauricio de Sousa under the guidance of professors from the Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Its goal is to raise awareness about preventing HPV-related cancers and educate children and parents about the importance of vaccination, which is available free of charge through Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS).

HPV infection causes several types of cancer, among which cervical cancer is one of the most concerning. It is one of the most prevalent cancers among women in Brazil and is exclusively caused by HPV infection, with approximately 17,000 new cases each year, according to estimates from the National Cancer Institute (INCA). HPV infection can also lead to cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus, oropharynx, and genital warts.

Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent high-risk HPV infections that cause cancer. The vaccine is most effective when administered before the onset of sexual activity, which is why the priority target group is children and adolescents aged 9 to 14.

The event featured speeches by Professors William Carlos Nahas (FMUSP), Luisa Lina Villa (FMUSP), Roger Chammas (FMUSP), and Guilherme Andrade Marson (IQ-USP).

Professor William Nahas highlighted the partnership between ICESP, the Instituto Cultural Mauricio de Sousa, and C2PO, as well as the significance of launching the initiative on National Cancer Awareness Day. Professor Luisa Villa emphasized the importance of public vaccination policies against HPV and recalled the ongoing fight against cervical cancer, which could be eradicated with widespread HPV vaccination. Professor Guilherme Marson underscored the importance of providing high-quality scientific information, particularly in a context where misinformation is widely disseminated through social media. Lastly, Professor Roger Chammas expressed hope that initiatives like the comic book would facilitate the transmission of reliable scientific information in an accessible way for children and young people, allowing HPV prevention to be discussed both in schools and within families.

In addition to an initial print run of 5,000 copies, the magazine is available for free download on the ICESP website after a brief registration process.

The audience at the comic book launch event holding the distributed copies. Img: Ensino e Eventos, ICESP

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