LUCCA (ITALPRESS) – Sensitizing the public on the theme of Papillomavirus (HPV) through the universal language of comedians. It was born with this goal “Il Quinto”, a comic book created by the meeting between Lucca Comics & Games, the largest European festival dedicated to comics, game and fantasy and MSD, a biopharmaceutical company engaged in innovative research and public health promotion. Through an unpublished comic book and an original story, we want to spread greater knowledge and awareness about Papillomavirus (HPV), recognized worldwide as the second infectious cause of tumors, both in men and women. In Europe, in fact, it is estimated that HPV is responsible for approximately 100% of cervical cancer and anal tumors, 78% of vaginal tumors, 51% of penis tumors, 37% of oropharynx tumors and 31% of vulva tumors. The comic will be distributed free of charge during the dedicated events, at the MSD stand and through further dissemination points present at the festival. The work has seen for its realization the joint work of a series of great artists, like Peach Momoko who designed the cover, Luca Enoch, who took care of the screenplay, the designers Giacomo Bevilacqua and Paolo Barbieri, protagonists of the internal tables and the collaboration of Valerio Amilcare, creator of the artistic content and of the interactive experience connected to the initiative present at the MSD stand in Piazza San Martino. The tables tell of a deep story of friendship, memories and promises never forgotten, which intertwine with the theme of Papillomavirus. “The goal of this comic is not only to entertain, but to stimulate curiosity and awareness,” said Luca Enoch, Italian screenwriter and cartoonist of international fame. “Through the power of the story we want to invite readers to deepen the theme of HPV, to confront their doctor and to access information content through the experiences offered at the festival. Because a story can excite, but also help you make more aware choices for your health.” The launch of the project will be one of the key elements of the 60th edition of Lucca Comics & Games and provides a rich program of appointments that will involve the public of the festival through meetings, moments of deepening and experiential activities, both at the MSD stand and within some of the main venues of the event. The presentation event, open to the public, was held on 28 October at the Teatro San Romano, in the presence of the team who worked on the comic book, which will tell how the language of comedians can turn into an effective tool also to approach people to issues of great importance for public health, such as awareness towards Papillomavirus. The experience, moreover, will continue beyond reading, through an interactive activity and an original stamp to access unique activations all to discover. Many of these will start from the MSD stand in Piazza San Martino, experiences that will allow to connect to a path of discovery of the original history also online on www.hpvitalia.it website during the festival and in the days after the event, also through the App of Lucca Comics & Games.Emanuele Vietina, general manager of Lucca Crea and director of Lucca Comics&Games, commented: “The comic has the unique ability to transform complex themes into stories capable of engaging and exciting. More than other languages. We are proud of this collaboration with MSD Italia, because Lucca Comics & Games has always focused the role of culture as an instrument of awareness to read the present. We know that HPV-related tumors are an important issue for both women and men and we believe that ninth art can make accessibcomplex themes and approach new public to correct health information. Through the power of the story, we want to stimulate curiosity and awareness, encouraging people to inform themselves, to speak with their physician and to make conscious choices for their own health.” “With ‘The Quintus we want to overcome the boundaries of classical scientific communication to reach people in their places of election, where their passions live,” says Nicoletta Luppi, President and CEO Delegata of MSD Italia. “The collaboration with Lucca Comics & Games offers us a unique opportunity to dialogue with young adults between 18 and 30 years, a group of people who are often not fully aware of the risks and consequences of HPV. Our goal is to reduce distances, promote correct information and encourage people to confront with confidence with their doctor. Health and prevention arise from awareness, but generate a concrete impact only when they turn into personal and responsible choices, with an impact that also becomes important on society, as well as for the sustainability of public health”. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that can affect women and men of all ages, including adults and that often does not give symptoms. In most cases, the infection is spontaneously eliminated by the body, but when it persists over time it can be associated with the development of different pathologies and certain tumors. The infection may affect both women and men and the risk of acquiring it does not disappear with age. This is why it is important to know Papillomavirus, its impact on health and to confront your doctor to receive correct and up-to-date information. Carlo Signorelli, Professor of Hygiene and Public Health, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele di Milano, commented on the initiative: “I have been committed to supporting scientific prevention and information for more than 20 years as a fundamental tool for dealing with HPV, an infection that can affect women and men in different stages of life and which is the origin of different forms of cancer. Today we have the knowledge, strategies and tools necessary to concretely aim to eliminate uterine cervix cancer and other related HPV tumors, but to achieve this, it is essential to involve the entire population in a major public health challenge. This is why it is essential to invest in initiatives capable of speaking to people with accessible and engaging languages. A greater knowledge of HPV can help you make more aware choices and confront your doctor, an essential reference to focus on prevention. Only through correct information and dialogue can we aim to write the end word on HPV-related tumors.” Concludes Professor Caterina Rizzo, Professor of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Pisa: “The tumors associated with HPV can be effectively addressed through an integrated strategy based on information and prevention, aimed both at men and women. Initiatives such as this help bring people closer to their doctor, prompting a useful comparison to identify the most appropriate prevention path. Communication is fundamental to transform scientific knowledge into awareness. Through engaging languages such as comics we can approach the public to complex themes such as HPV, stimulating curiosity and interest in reliable information. The Fifth demonstrates how science and storytelling can work together to foster greater awareness and promote an informed dialogue with their physician.”.
– Photo Italpress – (ITALPRESS).
