Ignorance isn’t always bliss, especially when it comes to something that holds a humiliating social stigma like sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Of course, one cannot really ignore the discomfort or shame when infected, but one can definitely sidestep all the embarrassment by actively seeking out answers to questions.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is known to be one of the most common STDs, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are two distinct categories of HPV — low-risk and high-risk. High-risk are types 16,18, 31 and 45, and if persistent, may lead to cervical cancer and other cancers of the genital area. Low-risk HPV types such as 6 and 11 can cause genital warts. While the virus is spread easily, the good news is that is a vaccine today for young female adults and a cure, if detected early.

As awareness for HPV has strongly grown over the years, it has also slowly become synonymous with cervical cancer. This conflation has become a common misconception that HPV only affects women.  Professor Dr Low Wah Yun, chartered psychologist of the faculty of medicine at University of Malaya said the virus is very much a male-dominated problem as well. “Women cannot be the cause of this entire thing... it’s not (just) the woman’s fault,” said Low.

Speaking about the social stigma and mentality of the public when it came to seeking answers and solutions, Low reiterated the adage prevention is always better than cure.  “There is treatment readily available (for STDs), and those afflicted need not  suffer in silence.”

Low was speaking at a press conference together with Teri Choong, executive director of PJ Live Arts Sdn Bhd (PJLA), at the launch of the PJ Laugh Fest 2011. One would wonder what  HPV and STD awareness would have to do with comedy seeing that the diseases and health-related issues are not a laughing matter. The fest is being used as a platform to raise awareness of the   prevention of HPV and HPV-related diseases and advocate early detection.

“PJLA (PJ Live Arts) is a not-for-profit theatre, so we’ve always been associated with community service projects,” said Choong. Hitting close to home, Choong, a cervical cancer survivor herself and in remission for five years, felt that PJ Laugh Fest 2011 was the perfect platform to share the spotlight on this cause. She urged everyone to take the initiative to be well-informed on the matter, before writing off the possibility of falling into the same predicament.

A comedy fest such as this attracts a huge audience and what better place to spread the word and get younger people to hear the message on sexually transmitted diseases. “It is important that we reach out to the younger generation,” added Choong.

The PJ Laugh Fest 2011, held at the PJ Live Arts Theatre in Jaya One, is a comedy festival, hosting a selection of local and international comedies and shows. The festival, which starts today, will run for till June 5.

Kicking off the fest tonight  is the comedy play God of Carnage. Megat Sharizal, Maya Tan Abdullah, Lina Teoh and Will Quah play as  two sets of parents getting who get together to amicably resolve  a  misunderstanding between their sons. What starts out as a diplomatic reasoning breaks out into havoc as the facade of civility falls and both pairs of parents attack each other in the most hilarious manner. The show runs till  May 8, and tickets are RM60 for adults and RM30 for students and senior citizens. PJ Live Arts Centre is at Ground Floor, Block K, Jaya One, Jalan University, PJ. For more information and ticket reservations, contact PJ Live Arts are (03) 7960 0439 or e-mail [email protected]. For more information on the festival, visit www.pjla.com.my.

This article appeared on the Live it! page, The Edge Financial Daily, April 28, 2011.