Published 04/01/2024 12:57
“I had anal cancer. When I managed to find out what I had, it was already at an advanced stage, and my chances of survival were minimal. It was very scary. The origin was HPV”, revealed Ana Maria. The presenter also shared that she had never heard about the virus before her illness.
Known for her frankness, Ana Maria also strongly encouraged parents and guardians to take their children between the ages of nine and 14 for HPV vaccination at health centers, through the Unified Health System (SUS). This vaccination has been available in Brazil for a decade.
“I would have taken the vaccine. If I had known it existed, I would have avoided all of this”, he lamented. HPV, as it is a sexually transmitted virus, often carries social stigmas. Regarding this, Ana Maria Braga emphasized that no one should feel ashamed of the disease.
“There is no reason to feel guilty about having cancer. It is not your fault that you are a sexually active woman. If you are a mother, it is natural to be sexually active. Sexuality should be seen as something natural, part of our existence”, concluded the presenter.
