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educate, empower, eliminate

No woman deserves to die of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a preventable public health problem that can be eliminated through vaccination, screening and early treatment.

TOGETHER WE CAN...​

The Problem

Cervical cancer is a completely preventable public health problem. Yet one young woman dies every two minutes in this world, leaving behind her young children to poverty and economic despair.

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Cervical cancer cases per year

The majority of HPV-related cancers are preventable.

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Head and neck cancer
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Anal cancer

Females: 18,000

Males: 17,000

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Penile cancer
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Vaginal Cancer

(Above are approximate nos.) Source: Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2018: Plummer et al. Lancet Glob Health. 2016

Our vision

To eliminate HPV-related cancers, starting with cervical cancer

Our Solution

Working with our global partners we:

Raise awareness about HPV-related cancers

Promote HPV vaccination

Improve cervical cancer screening rates

Facilitate early treatment

OUR STORY

The idea for the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer (GIAHC) was born in 2009 when Dr. Shobha Krishnan went on a book tour to India to promote her book, HPV Vaccine Controversy: Sex, Cancer, God and Politics (Praeger 2008).
While visiting Kutch, a remote area in the state of Gujarat that runs along the India-Pakistan border, Dr. Shobha Krishnan, had the opportunity to talk to several women, some of whom served on the local government. As she was walking out, a woman from the audience came up to her and asked, “You told us about your book and that a young woman in India is dying every seven minutes from cervical cancer—so, now tell me, what are you going to do about it? When are you going to start a program in my community?”
Inspired by her words, Dr. Krishnan returned to the U.S. and with the help of an undergraduate student from Yale, collaborated with local NGOs to start a screening and early treatment program in the area.
After training, the women returned to their communities to raise awareness among other health care workers in the community
In most cases, midwives who had good rapport with families in the communities were trained to spread awareness about cervical cancer
Cervical cancer screening camps were conducted periodically, and women invited to participate
Household vinegar (5% acetic acid) and Lugol’s iodine were used to detect early changes in the cervix that could indicate cancer
Women who tested positive and needed further care were treated appropriately by visiting doctors.
Based on the above program, GIAHC was born in 2010 and we keep marching on……..
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News and Updates

2024 Us vs HPV Webinar Series

The 2024 Us vs HPV webinar series will take place from January 22-26. The webinars are intended for health care providers, parents, patients, community leaders, women’s health advocates, students, young leaders and the general public. People of all genders can benefit from these talks. A live panel discussion will be hosted at the end of each session to answer audience questions.

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