Podcast Summary
Podcast: New Books Network – Exchanges (Cambridge University Press & New Books Network)
Episode: Linda Eckert, "Enough: Because We Can Stop Cervical Cancer" (Cambridge UP, 2024)
Host: Mark Klobus
Guest: Dr. Linda Eckert
Date: January 11, 2026
Overview
This episode features a conversation between host Mark Klobus and Dr. Linda Eckert, an OB GYN and global health advocate, about her book Enough: Because We Can Stop Cervical Cancer. The discussion delves into why cervical cancer remains a global health crisis despite being fully preventable, the science behind the disease and its vaccines, societal and policy barriers to prevention, and the personal stories at the heart of Eckert’s advocacy.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Dr. Linda Eckert’s Background and Motivation for the Book
[00:31–01:06]
- OB GYN of 30+ years based in Seattle, with extensive work in global health.
- Personal experience witnessing the tragedy of this "preventable cancer" moved her to write the book.
Quote:
“After watching so many people with cervical cancer, which is a preventable cancer, I finally decided, you know, I'm going to write a book.” – Dr. Eckert (01:00)
2. What Makes Cervical Cancer Unique
[01:46–03:06]
- Caused almost exclusively by specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV)—a common, sexually transmitted virus.
- Progresses in stages over 5–20 years, allowing various opportunities for intervention.
- Unique as a "preventable cancer"—an “immense opportunity” in public health.
Quote:
“Cervical cancer is what we call a preventable cancer... a fairly remarkable opportunity that we have.” – Dr. Eckert (01:48)
3. Individual and Societal Cost of Cervical Cancer
[03:45–05:26]
- Treatment is invasive (e.g., removal of uterus, radiation) and has lifelong consequences (infertility, sexual dysfunction).
- Most prevalent in women aged 35–50, often before family completion.
- Massive societal costs due to loss of caregivers, health expenses, and intergenerational impacts.
- 90% of cases occur in low-resource settings, where diagnosis is often a "death sentence."
Quote:
“When women die, they have children they leave behind... The societal impact is massive.” – Dr. Eckert (05:06)
4. The Science of HPV and Cervical Cancer
[06:18–08:34]
- HPV is extremely common: 80% of adults get it at some point; 50% acquire it after three sexual partners.
- Most infections resolve on their own, but certain high-risk types persist and can cause precancerous changes.
- Screening focuses on detecting these "oncogenic" types.
Quote:
“By the time people have had three sexual partners, over 50% will have human papillomavirus. And 80% of adults at some point in their lives will have a human papillomavirus infection.” – Dr. Eckert (06:24)
5. The Intersection of HIV and Cervical Cancer
[08:34–10:02]
- HIV-positive women are at much higher risk (6x) for cervical cancer.
- HIV weakens the body’s ability to clear HPV, leading to more persistent infections and aggressive cancer.
- As HIV treatments improve and women live longer, deaths from cervical cancer in this population rise.
Quote:
“Women who are HIV positive have six times the rate of cervical cancer... the cancer strikes at an early age and is more aggressive.” – Dr. Eckert (09:00)
6. Prevention: Vaccines and Screening
[10:22–13:29]
- HPV vaccine is most effective for ages 9–14, before sexual activity and HPV exposure.
- Vaccination can prevent 70–90% of cervical cancer, as well as other HPV-related cancers.
- Screening with Pap smears and HPV DNA tests can catch precancerous changes; early cancer is highly curable if detected.
- Treatment options depend on the stage (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy), but all have significant side effects.
Quote:
“The fact that we have this tool, this HPV vaccine, is just amazing in the world of cancer prevention. It’s mind boggling to me how good this vaccine is working actually.” – Dr. Eckert (11:10)
7. Prevention as a High-Value Public Health Investment
[13:41–14:52]
- For every dollar spent on screening, $3.20 is returned to the economy just from keeping women in the workforce.
- When factoring community contributions, the return is $26 for every $1 spent.
Quote:
“Every dollar spent on cervical cancer screening and prevention leads to $26 coming back to the economy.” – Dr. Eckert (14:36)
8. Barriers to Stopping Cervical Cancer
[15:08–17:55]
- Vaccine stigmatization due to its link to sexual activity; politicization and religious objections in the US and globally.
- Myths about side effects/disinformation persist despite 20 years of safety.
- Supply and cost barriers, especially in low-resource countries.
- Infrastructure challenges: few existing vaccine delivery systems for pre-adolescents.
Quote:
“HPV, because it's a sexually transmitted infection, carries a lot of stigma... This vaccine has been studied extensively... to me, it’s a no brainer to use the vaccine.” – Dr. Eckert (15:13–16:45)
9. Strategies for Addressing Stigma and Underinvestment
[17:55–20:28]
- Normalize discussion and provide accurate information: “If people really understood just how common HPV was...it’s a little harder to stigmatize it.”
- Acknowledge the role of patriarchal attitudes in devaluing women’s health.
- Use personal stories to humanize the issue and inspire policy change.
Quotes:
“One of the most powerful ways to unearth stigma is to talk about it and to provide accurate information.” – Dr. Eckert (18:33)
“We all know that... numbers and data don't always change policy. But if you are wanting to really help motivate people and change minds, tell them stories.” – Dr. Eckert (19:17)
10. Wider Reflections: Cervical Cancer as a Microcosm of Women’s Health
[21:14–22:40]
- Cervical cancer reflects broader challenges in prioritizing and investing in women’s health globally.
- The loss of women to preventable disease has profound generational and societal costs.
Quote:
“The value of women to society and the amount we invest in them and their health is something that we should be talking about more because again, it's half the population, and it's, frankly, it's the population that does a lot of the work to keep societies going.” – Dr. Eckert (22:10)
11. The Power of Storytelling
[22:40–23:50]
- The book draws on stories from six continents to highlight the real-life impact of cervical cancer and the preventability of suffering and loss.
- Stories can bridge gaps between statistics and empathy, building momentum for change.
12. Looking Forward: Advocacy and Next Steps
[23:56–24:27]
- Dr. Eckert continues her clinical work and is increasingly involved in advocacy, aiming to amplify awareness and policy change using storytelling as a tool.
Memorable Quotes with Timestamps
- “Cervical cancer is what we call a preventable cancer... a fairly remarkable opportunity that we have.” – Dr. Eckert (01:48)
- “When women die, they have children they leave behind... The societal impact is massive.” – Dr. Eckert (05:06)
- “By the time people have had three sexual partners, over 50% will have human papillomavirus. And 80% of adults at some point in their lives will have a human papillomavirus infection.” – Dr. Eckert (06:24)
- “Women who are HIV positive have six times the rate of cervical cancer... the cancer strikes at an early age and is more aggressive.” – Dr. Eckert (09:00)
- “The fact that we have this tool, this HPV vaccine, is just amazing in the world of cancer prevention. It’s mind boggling to me how good this vaccine is working actually.” – Dr. Eckert (11:10)
- “Every dollar spent on cervical cancer screening and prevention leads to $26 coming back to the economy.” – Dr. Eckert (14:36)
- “We all know that... numbers and data don't always change policy. But if you are wanting to really help motivate people and change minds, tell them stories.” – Dr. Eckert (19:17)
- “The value of women to society and the amount we invest in them and their health is something that we should be talking about more because again, it's half the population...” – Dr. Eckert (22:10)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Dr. Eckert's background and motivation: 00:31–01:06
- Unique nature and science of cervical cancer: 01:46–03:06, 06:18–08:34
- Societal and economic costs: 03:45–05:26, 13:41–14:52
- Intersection with HIV: 08:34–10:02
- Prevention strategies (vaccination, screening): 10:22–13:29
- Barriers (stigma, supply, access, infrastructure): 15:08–17:55
- Combatting stigma with information and stories: 17:55–20:28
- Wider implications for women’s health: 21:14–23:08
- Advocacy and the power of storytelling: 22:40–24:27
Conclusion
This episode highlights the tragedy of a preventable disease that continues to affect and kill women due to societal stigma, systemic underinvestment, and global inequities. Dr. Linda Eckert calls for increased awareness, the use of vaccination, and the sharing of personal stories to dismantle stigma and drive change—a message as relevant to cervical cancer as it is to the broader fight for women’s health.