The opening of the exhibition: WOMAN, FROM MOTHER TO DAUGHTER will take place this Friday, October 14, 2011, starting at 7:30 PM at the Espace Méditerranée (level -1) of the Palais de la Méditerranée Casino.
Cervical cancer causes nearly 1,000 deaths per year in France. However, it is possible through screening to detect precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix and thus better treat or even prevent the onset of cancer. Screening, recommended for women aged 25 to 65, is mostly individual and relies on the initiative of the gynecologist, the general practitioner, or the midwife. Additionally, there is a vaccination that fights against infection by certain types of HPV (human papillomavirus), which is responsible for 70% of cervical cancers. This vaccination does not replace screening via a Pap smear but serves as a complementary means of prevention for young girls.
In order to encourage women aged 25 to 65 to undergo screening Pap smears every three years and to increase vaccination coverage against HPV, the Alpes Maritimes committee of the League Against Cancer wanted to implement an innovative action: to organize a photographic exhibition featuring portraits of mothers and daughters residing in the department. Each photo was paired with a testimony from these duos to raise awareness amongst other women in the Alpes Maritimes on cervical cancer prevention and screening.
The only criterion required to become a model for this exhibition was motivation. Therefore, 38 duos were recruited across the entire department through contacts from associations and media partners such as Nice Matin and Chérie FM.
The photo sessions took place each time outdoors in a location chosen by the duo. We spent nearly a quarter touring the department to meet them. Sessions were held in Antibes, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Cannes, La Trinité, Nice, Saint Laurent du Var, Tourettes-sur-Loup, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap d’Ail, Monaco, etc.
These women came to tell you why it is so important to take care of oneself but also one’s loved ones. By offering us their image and testimony, they have become the spokespersons for our cause: the fight against cancer!
