Natalia is a 39 year old mother of two who lives in Bogota, Colombia. When she was 33, Natalia received a diagnosis that changed her life. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer and told she had less than a few years to live. At one point, Natalia’s life expectancy was reduced to just seven months.

In Colombia, there are approximately 5,000 new cases of cervical cancer recorded each year, and up to half of these women will lose their life to this preventable disease.

In Colombia, the HPV vaccine is free for girls between nine and 17 years of age and it is one of the best ways to protect young girls from developing cervical cancer in adulthood. But some people still have doubts about its effectiveness, which is why educating the public about cervical cancer prevention is so critical.

The Colombian government has committed to see a reduction in cervical cancer incidence by 2030, but Natalia says parents of adolescent girls must also pay attention to the prevention methods available.

As a mother herself, Natalia says all parents must ensure that their daughters are vaccinated against HPV. She doesn’t want any woman to experience cervical cancer like she has.