Reviewed by: Lacey Muenstermann
One Birmingham woman’s mission to eliminate cervical cancer in Alabama
Reading time: 4 minutes
As an infant in a small Brazilian town, now Birmingham resident Dr. Isabel Scarinci was diagnosed with polio. She received the first vaccine dose, but her pediatrician recommended that she hold off on completing the vaccine series due to a separate illness. The polio epidemic occurred, and she was infected with the virus. Dr. Scarinci still walks with a limp to this day.
Her personal experience and determination have made her the most suitable person to take on the challenge of helping Alabama’s most vulnerable communities. Read on to learn how she does it.
For Dr. Isabel Scarinci, it’s personal
As Vice Chair of the Global and Rural Health Program in UAB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Isabel Scarinci has dedicated her career to educating the community on eliminating the preventable disease of cervical cancer. Scarinci has become an evangelist for immunizing against human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that causes multiple cancers, including cervical cancer. Alabama is ranked third in the nation for mortality related to cervical cancer. The ranking is a hard pill to swallow considering the disease is treatable when caught early and, more importantly, avoidable through proper preventative care.
Dr. Scarinci has seen firsthand how a lack of knowledge and access to care impacts rural and underserved areas the most.
She regularly works at events, signing up women for cancer screenings. For those who make their appointment and receive an early-stage cancer diagnosis, Dr. Scarinci knows the events are worth her time.
“Most cervical cancer stems from poverty. Young people and their parents need to be educated on the benefit of vaccines. The disease is preventable if people have access to reliable medical care.”
Dr. Isabel Scarinci
Dr. Scarinci’s enthusiasm for this cause gained the attention of other health advocates across the state. As a result, OPERATION WIPE OUT was founded in 2021 and launched statewide in 2023.
OPERATION WIPE OUT
OPERATION WIPE OUT’s objective is to raise awareness about HPV and cervical cancer prevention in Alabama. The effort also aims to remove barriers to communities receiving education, vaccination and treatment for the disease.
This state-wide effort involves the collective strength of medical and community partners to help deliver educational and clinical resources to local schools, healthcare providers and other organizations.
OPERATION WIPE OUT has developed a strategic action plan to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama by 2033.
“Cervical cancer elimination as a public health problem in Alabama can be achieved through collaborative and integrated efforts from organizations, business leaders, health care providers, school systems, civic and non-profit organizations and committed individuals”
Dr. Isabel Scarinci
OPERATION WIPE OUT Summit
The Rotary Club of Birmingham will host the second OPERATION WIPE OUT Summit on January 31, 2025. The event will rally together primary care providers and public health leaders from across the state to discuss strategies to increase access to cervical cancer prevention resources.
The 2025 Summit will give attendees a deeper understanding of the current state of cervical cancer in Alabama, learn more about OPERATION WIPE OUT’s recent accomplishments and connect with other advocates for the cause across the state.
How you can aid in the prevention of cervical cancers
- HPV vaccinations in both girls + boys
- Adult screenings through HPV testing
- Partner with OPERATION WIPE OUT’s mission + learn more about the ways you can play a role in eliminating cervical cancer in Alabama.
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