Interactive 3D simulation for cervical cancer: Innovating public health campaign for awareness

Abstract

The National Cancer Registry reported that in 2003 a total of 12,064 Malaysian women were diagnosed with cancer. Moreover, from that figure, 12.9% (1557) cases detected concerning cervical cancer. This makes cervical cancer the second most common cancer cases among woman after breast cancer. In March 2010, the Malaysian Health Ministry responded by announcing a free anti cervical cancer immunization or HPV vaccination scheme to all Malaysian female teenagers at the age of thirteen. Conversely, the majority of patients afflicted with cervical cancer occur among women of over the age of 40. Apart from the free vaccination scheme which acts as a deterrent measure, a series of health promotion plan or campaign has been organized to advice the public to adopt a change of lifestyle and to steer clear from this particular type of tumor. Currently, most public health campaigns utilizes a predictable mix of brochures, posters, advertisements or commercials to disseminate health information that would trigger the civic awareness relating to certain health issues. For this research we propose an innovation in public health campaign utilizing interactive 3D visualization and animation. We believe this alternative media campaign will be more effective in persuading the community to change their behavior to reduce the hazard of cervical cancer.