Cervical cancer kills almost 350,000 women each year. What's more horrifying, is that millions have died of this disease that's nearly 100% preventable. It's no secret that healthcare is full of inequities, with a severe lack of accessible screening programs. But women's health care is also impeded by cultural, gender, and political barriers, issues that have combined to create devastating consequences. A leading expert in cervical cancer prevention, Dr Linda Eckert takes her years of experience and weaves it together with the voices of the courageous women who use their own experience of cervical cancer to advocate for change. This heart-breaking, yet hopeful, book takes you through the world of cervical cancer with evidence-based information, personal stories and actionable outcomes. Society flourishes when women have access to safe and affordable healthcare. Together we can make this need a reality and eliminate the world's most preventable cancer.
These stories powerfully illustrate the impact of cervical cancer on women, spanning from Africa to the U.S. While many were heartbreaking, they were also filled with hope and strong calls to action. I gained a much deeper understanding of cervical cancer and HPV—topics that are often overlooked in many of my Women and Gender Studies classes.
“In the fight against cervical cancer, money can buy a lot. But it cannot take down the forbidding wall of patriarchy, stigma, inequality, religious puritanism, fear, and ignorance. For that, we need to talk. We need honesty, candor, vulnerability, courage. Money cannot buy the power of women talking to women, women talking to men, citizens talking to their governments, or survivors talking to the world. Money cannot buy the transformation that happens when, as we talk, we listen. One brick at a time, let’s knock down that wall, which prevents hundreds of thousands of women from reaching out for what they need to prevent the tragedy that is cervical cancer.”
The author is a wonderful, caring doctor, Linda Eckert, whose goal in this book is to eradicate cervical cancer through giving those who read the book (who should be everyone) the knowledge to fight this terrible, preventable disease.
A vacine exists, HPV, that can prevent most of cervical cancer if given to young girls and boys from about 9 years through 13 years. In addition, there are screening tests, like the pap test and other more advanced tests that can detect this cancer in its early stages.
The book shows how many countries are setting mandates to fight cervical cancer. There are many examples of those who have had cancer, some survive, others don't. And there is so much more that can be done.
It is a very thorough book. Often sad, but always enlightening.
I had never specifically learned about cervical cancer, its connection with HPV, and how it is preventable. Dr. Eckert's words during a talk at an event inspired me to seek out more information about this preventable cancer and educate myself about it.
I started reading Dr. Eckert's book at the bus stop on my way home and could not put it down. The stories I read really touched me, especially Teolita's. I felt myself tearing up reading about these women and their memorable lives. I feel the urgency to address and fix this global health issue.
I hope to learn more about cervical cancer, its global health implications, and Dr. Eckert's work in this area.
This book is an essential read for anyone who is a woman, knows a woman, cares about women, or value those who have a cervix. Dr. Eckert beautifully captures the importance of educating people around the world of one of very few cancers that is PREVENTABLE. While being very well-informed and educated on this issue, Dr. Eckert presents very real issues and data in a way that those who may not have the same education level or comfortability around medical topics can easily comprehend and (hopefully) see the importance of educating on this horrible condition.
This is a must-read book for all people who have a cervix, or love someone who does. Equally informative and engaging, it intertwines facts and world-class professional insight with personal stories that will bring you to tears. Dr. Eckert explains how cervical cancer is so very preventable while shining a light on the social, political, and economic barriers that are preventing us from eradicating it at home and worldwide
Call to action! I thought the HSV vaccine had made cervical cancer a thing of the past—and I’m a doctor. This exciting book opened my eyes and got me fired up to do more. It’s by a doctor who uses the stories and lived experiences of women around the world and to create a sense of urgency and opportunity. The author’s warmth and compassion shines.
I read this book as a part of my work research for an awareness campaign. It sheds clear light on inequalities in women disease prevention and treatment, on the rich-poor divide and on stigma that stays in a way to eliminate a preventable cancer. Heartbreaking, a must read for policy-makers all over the world…
This book is filled with accurate medical information and engaging testimonies from cervical cancer survivors. It is time to eradicate cervical cancer - because we can. Thank you, Dr. Eckert, for giving this book to the world.
Very informative book. Wished the call to action part was a bit shorter - started to feel more and more repetitive towards the end. The start of the book was very engaging and informative, overall a good read.
This book is for anyone with a cervix and for the people who care about them. I loved the stories of the survivors. I gained so much new knowledge. Please give yourself the gift of this important information. This book is written for non-medical people as well as doctors. Enough is enough!