Film short abstract:

A dominant discourse on cervical cancer focuses on access to care, overshadowing other critical issues. I reflect on my experience with the disease, exploring gynecological violence, reductionist explanations, and the politics of blame, while highlighting transformative knowledge through art.

Film long abstract:

A dominant discourse surrounding cervical cancer currently frames it within the context of access to screening and vaccination. Indeed, over 80% of cases occur in countries where access to care is severely limited, if not nonexistent; while in the so-called Global North, the highest incidence rates and most advanced-stage diagnoses disproportionately affect the most vulnerabilized groups.

I argue that this exclusive focus on access to preventive and healthcare services risks diverting attention from other critical issues. Drawing on experimental autoethnography and kaleidoscopic reflexivity (Fortun, 2014), this short film reflects on my personal experience with cervical cancer in a context where such access was secured. I explore issues such as gynaecological violences and micro violences, reductionist causative explanations of the disease, and the politics of blame that can generate or perpetuate suffering among those with a cervix. Additionally, I consider how autoethnographic and artistic practices can contribute to inhabiting alternative social possibilities, fostering knowledge that may be both relevant and transformative.