Overview

• In an emotional Instagram video for Entschieden gegen Krebs, Vanessa Mai disclosed that a routine screening two years ago detected a precancerous cervical lesion.
• She revealed the lesion was caused by an HPV infection and credited early detection through preventive exams with likely averting a more serious outcome.
• Mai urged her followers not to be ashamed to ask questions about their bodies and to make informed, preventive health decisions.
• She highlighted that STIKO recommends HPV vaccination for children aged nine to 14 before first intimate contact and noted that Germany’s uptake remains below national targets.
• Mai’s campaign seeks to destigmatize HPV, raise awareness of its cancer risks, and encourage broader vaccination coverage and regular check-ups.