Three women, three men, one diagnosis: cancer. The traveling exhibition portrays six people for whom HPV-related cancer became a constant companion in their lives. Those affected tell the personal story of their cancer and thus draw attention to the issue of HPV infection and the importance of vaccination. Three of the people portrayed - Stefan, Yvonne and Dirk - came from Celle, Strahlungen and Cologne to take part in the opening.
At a hands-on station in the form of a giant virus, there are answers to questions such as "What exactly is HPV?", "How do vaccinations work?" or "What can I do to prevent cancer?". From dominoes to a marble run, four interactive play areas provide an informal approach to the topic of "vaccination against cancer" and a healthy lifestyle.
At the opening event, school principal Ulrich von Sanden welcomed the participants. Dr. Uschi Traub, Head of Health Promotion at the District Office, explained facts and figures about HPV. "Every day, 14 women in Germany are diagnosed with cervical cancer and five women die from it every day. Every year, around 6,250 women and around 1,600 men are diagnosed with HPV-related cancers. In men, HPV-related cancers include 600 anal cancers, 250 penile cancers and at least 750 cancers in the oral cavity and throat." Dr. Claus Köster, President of the non-profit association Gesundheitsnetz Rhein-Neckar e.V. and Managing Director of the preventa Foundation, provided information about the HP virus and its effects on the body. More than 100,000 people in Germany get annoying genital warts every year, and many more develop precancerous lesions. In 56,000 cases, conization (cone-shaped excision of the cervix) has to be carried out. This increases the risk of premature births and can lead to considerable psychological stress. Köster reported on his successful school vaccination programs.
Stefan, Yvonne and Dirk talked about their lives with penile, cervical and tongue cancer, the shock of the diagnosis and how the disease has changed them and their lives. Stefan has been cancer-free for five years and his glans has been reconstructed. He even became a father afterwards. Yvonne is terminally ill with metastases, but the cancer is being kept in check by immunotherapy. She had to say goodbye to her desire to have children. Dirk was able to return to his job as a motorcycle policeman, despite losing half of his tongue and having all the lymph nodes in his neck removed. All three had not heard of HPV before the diagnosis and are now actively involved in social media to improve the vaccination rate and spare others their suffering. Stefan is encouraging: "Don't be ashamed, go to a urologist and get help." Yvonne says: "Cancer has taken a lot from me, but not my laughter and fighting spirit." Dirk is grateful that he survived the disease and feels "the desire to help other people with cancer and give them something positive in return".
The exhibition can be seen until March 24 at the cultural center in Ludwigsburg (Monday to Friday 9 am to 8 pm, Saturday 9 am to 3 pm, Sunday closed).
Staff from the health department will be offering guided tours for those interested on March 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm and on March 24 from 5 to 6 pm.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Uschi Traub, tel. 07141 144-2520, email: gesundheitsförderung@landkreis-ludwigsburg.de.
