CONQUERING CERVICAL CANCER

"Everyone felt they learned more about cervical cancer, the global impact for women and the interventions for prevention" - Gail Petersen Hock, NCCC Arizona Chapter | "From the Heart" - UICC | "Powerful" - Collaborate Against Cancer Cervical Cancer • Women's Health • Health Disparities • Global Health • Public Health • Cancer Survivorship • Access to Health Services • Health Literacy  Date of Completion: 2023 | Run Time: 71 minutes​​ | Language: English | Captions: Yes | Includes: Transcript | Director: Mike Hill | Producers & Writers: Sue Collins & Mike Hill | Presenter: Sue Collins | Cinematography: Mike Hill | Editors: Steven Robinson ASE & Thomas Johns | Composer: Stephen Gallagher Documentary filmmaker Sue Collins takes us on a journey through the United States to discover if cervical cancer elimination is within reach. In Australia, cervical cancer is about to be put in the history books thanks to Australian scientists who developed the vaccine for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer. The vaccine rollout via many public health initiatives will see Australia become the first country to eliminate this cancer. Can the United States follow suit? Exploring stories from the United States and around the world, Sue investigates what needs to change to achieve the incredible feat of eliminating cervical cancer. It is estimated that by doing so, it could save the lives of an estimated 62 million women worldwide. The stories from cervical cancer survivors are full of wisdom, determination and heart, and their triumph fills Sue with hope for a cervical cancer-free world. However, she is also confronted with the health and economic grip cervical cancer has on the world’s poorest women, not just overseas but also within the United States. Meeting with experts from around the world such as Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus from the World Health Organisation and Professor Ian Frazer from The University of Queensland, Sue learns that the elimination pillars are in place but now need to be implemented globally, including in many parts of the USA. Sue’s journey is a salute to both, the survivor advocates and those working in the field - a celebration of how far we have come - but is also a cry for how far we have to go.