- Musician in Surprise Discovery of Cervical Pre-Cancer due to HPV
In a heartfelt video statement posted on Instagram, German pop star Vanessa Mai shared her personal experience with a precancerous condition in her cervix, caused by an infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV). The diagnosis, made about two years ago, has led Mai to become a strong advocate for HPV awareness and the importance of regular health check-ups, particularly the HPV vaccination.
Mai, who is recognized for her advocacy on HPV awareness and the importance of HPV vaccination in Canada, was honoured by the organisation Women of Influence for her work promoting the HPV vaccine among Canadians. In March 2017, she was invited to present initiatives related to HPV in Canada, highlighting her commitment to advancing public education and vaccination efforts against the virus.
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends the HPV vaccination for girls and boys aged 9 to 14. Mai emphasizes the importance of the vaccination, stating that it ideally should occur before the first intimate contact. She believes that this preventive measure could have spared her the precancerous condition she experienced.
Mai's video, filmed in a simple setting with her seated on a black stool wearing a white t-shirt and jeans, resonated with her 1.2 million followers. In the video, she personally addresses her fans, urging them to inform themselves about preventive health measures. She emphasizes that if just one person is motivated to get checked or informed, her video will have been worth it.
Mai also highlights the importance of asking questions about one's health. She wishes she had known more about HPV earlier and regrets not seeking more information. She now understands that health is not a given and that she is responsible for her own body.
According to the Robert Koch Institute, most sexually active people will have an HPV infection at least once in their lives. While many HPV infections clear up on their own, if the infection persists, it can lead to precancerous conditions or even cancer. Mai's experience underscores the importance of regular check-ups and the HPV vaccination as key strategies in preventing cervical and other HPV-associated cancers.
Since her diagnosis, Mai has been working with the initiative "Decided. Against Cancer". She encourages others to inform themselves about preventive health measures and to take proactive steps to protect their health. Her advocacy aligns with broader public health efforts to increase vaccine uptake and reduce the incidence of HPV infections.
- Vanessa Mai's work promoting HPV awareness and the importance of the HPV vaccine, especially among Canadians, has been recognized by the organization Women of Influence, emphasizing the impact of her advocacy in health-and-wellness.
- Mai's video, urging her fans to educate themselves about preventive health measures, reflects her commitment to mental-health, as she shares her personal experience and encourages responsible self-care.
- As Mai continues her work with the initiative "Decided. Against Cancer," she emphasizes the crucial role of therapies-and-treatments, regular health checks, and preventive measures like the HPV vaccination in the field of women's health, aiding in the prevention of HPV-associated cancers.
