On the Path to Prevention from the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program October 2021

Every month in this e-newsletter, I mention the negative effects of the pandemic on HPV vaccination. It is unfortunately a persistent challenge. National public-dose distribution data show a consistent decline of about 18% nationally compared to pre-pandemic data, with regional variations. In a recently accepted publication in Current Medical Research and Opinion, Kunal Saxena, PhD, and colleagues examined the time required to recover from the pandemic’s HPV vaccination deficits. The results revealed a time frame of 2–10 years to recoup the losses. This study and the efforts of many others show a continued need to get back on track with HPV vaccinations today to prevent HPV cancers in the future. The National HPV Vaccination Roundtable offers resources to help improve adolescent vaccination rates. Each of us plays an important role in HPV cancer prevention.

The St. Jude HPV Team has focused recently on convening the Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable while pursuing statewide, regional and national opportunities. This month’s e-newsletter features information on all of these topics. We also welcome two new team members to the St. Jude HPV Team.

We also extend congratulations to the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable for its tremendous work over the past six years and for receiving five more years of funding. We look forward to our continued support of its efforts.

Every month, our program will send an email like this. We hope you will share it with others who may be interested and ask them to subscribe, too. We also want to hear from you if you have opportunities and information we can share. Email PreventHPV@stjude.org with questions.

HPV vaccination is cancer prevention.

Did you know Shelby County recently ranked 94th out of Tennessee’s 95 counties in HPV vaccination rates? Help us reverse this surprising and changeable statistic.

The Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable is a group of stakeholders seeking to increase local HPV cancer prevention efforts. This new roundtable was formed based on the urging of Michael Ulm, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at West Cancer Clinic.

The Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable recently hosted a two-day virtual kickoff event, BBQ, Blues, HPV Vaccination & You. On the first day, presenters discussed national, state and local data on HPV vaccination and HPV cancers. They also described priority evidence-based approaches to increasing HPV vaccination. On the second day, experts discussed the influence of the policy landscape on HPV vaccination, shared their experiences as HPV cancer survivors and caregivers, and showcased community voices to embrace the local context and diversity of Memphis and Shelby County. Each day concluded with an action-planning session to identify next steps, while building on the expertise of attendees. A report summarizing the event, including action steps, will be shared with all registrants.

To join this effort and for more information, email PreventHPV@stjude.org.

Congratulations to the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded the American Cancer Society five more years of funding in support of the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a proud member of the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable.

During the past six years, the roundtable has driven national conversations and catalyzed action by convening and galvanizing stakeholders, creating innovative solutions, and disseminating evidence-based interventions and promising practices. The continuation of the roundtable, “HPV Roundtable 2.0,” will engage key external audiences for maximum impact and will aim to:

Maintain, expand and strengthen the network of key stakeholders, with a focus on equity and strategic communications through multiple channels
Convene members and catalyze action in their organizations to increase HPV vaccination through best and promising practices
Address priority issues and activities through task groups, forums, committees, tools and resources

Take advantage of the many resources of the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable to increase HPV vaccination today.

In this month’s e-newsletter, we highlight two recently published studies that underscore the importance of building confidence in HPV vaccinations among parents, health care providers and the public. These publications also emphasize ensuring on-time vaccination for optimal HPV cancer prevention.

Safety Concerns about HPV Vaccination Erode Vaccination Confidence
As previous research has shown, low vaccine confidence and vaccine safety concerns are major barriers to initiating and completing the HPV vaccination series. Kalyani Sonawane, PhD, and colleagues in JAMA Network examined how HPV vaccination safety relates to adverse event reporting.

In this cross-sectional analysis of the 2015–18 National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) data, results revealed a nearly 80% increase in the number of parents who chose not to vaccinate their adolescents against HPV due to safety concerns. In contrast to this alarming news, reports from the national vaccine safety surveillance system found that the HPV vaccine adverse-event reporting rate per 100,000 doses distributed decreased from about 45 in 2015 to under 30 in 2018.

According to the study, parents’ exposure to and interaction with anti-vaccination content is associated with HPV vaccine hesitancy. Thus, building vaccine confidence is crucial to increasing HPV vaccination rates and reducing HPV cancers. Provider recommendations remain critical to addressing misinformation and safety concerns. HPV vaccination has a strong safety record. It has been monitored for and in use in the U.S. for 15 years. The vaccine is effective and offers long-lasting protection.

HPV Vaccination May Reduce Head and Neck Cancers, but Not until 2045

The key to HPV cancer prevention is on-time vaccination at the recommended ages of 11–12 years and as early as age 9. HPV vaccination can contribute significantly to the decrease of HPV cancers, including oropharyngeal cancers found in the back of the throat and at the base of the tonsils.

According to a recent JAMA Oncology publication by Yuehan Zhang, ScM, and colleagues, HPV vaccination will help prevent oropharynx cancers in the 36 to 45-year-old age group. However, we may not see a significant reduction in the total number of these cancers until 2045. This is due to a lack of vaccination opportunities for those ages 55 and older.

Experts estimate that between 2020 and 2045, HPV vaccination will prevent more than 6,300 oropharynx cancers, with 88% of those cases in people younger than 55. It is imperative to get children vaccinated today to prevent these and all other HPV cancers.

Upcoming Events

‘PREVENT HPV Cancers Act’ Virtual Town Hall: October 5
The nonprofit organization HPV Cancers Alliance will host a virtual town hall Tuesday, October 5, at 3 p.m. EST. This event will educate the public about the PREVENT HPV Cancers Act, which is moving through the U.S. Congress.

On International HPV Awareness Day, Rep. Kathy Castor (FL) and Rep. Kim Schrier, MD (WA), introduced Bill H.R. 1550, Promoting Resources to Expand Vaccination, Education and New Treatments for HPV Cancers Act or the “PREVENT HPV Cancers Act.” The bill aims to prevent HPV cancers among Americans.

Watch the virtual town hall on Facebook Live @HPVallianceorg or on YouTube Live.

National Health Education Week: October 18–22
Since 1995, the Society for Public Health Education has celebrated National Health Education Week (NHEW) during the third week of October. The event increases awareness of major public health issues and promotes a better understanding of the role of health education. Health education specialists offer knowledge, skills and training that complement the work of health providers, policy makers, educational experts, human resource personnel and other professionals.

Health education:

Improves the health status of individuals, communities, states and the nation
Enhances the quality of life for everyone
Reduces costly premature deaths and disability
Decreases the financial and human cost spent on medical treatment

NHEW 2021 celebrates “Gateway to the Future: The Power of Health Education and Promotion” October 18–22. Visit the #NHEW2021 webpage for more information and resources.

34th International Papillomavirus Conference and Basic Science, Clinical and Public Health Workshops: November 15–19
Researchers, clinicians and other health professionals will gather to share knowledge and ideas on papillomaviruses and their associated diseases during this conference and workshops next month. Topics range from basic science to global health impact.

By harnessing the power of innovation from HPV research, we can deliver on global prevention and control of HPV-related diseases. The theme of the conference and workshops is “Research and Education for HPV Elimination.” Hear the latest research and nurture collaborations with the global HPV community. Early bird registration is available until October 20 for this November 15–19 event.

AAP New Resource: HPV and Other Vaccines Recommended for Adolescents

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has launched a new resource on HPV and other vaccines recommended for adolescents. The resource emphasizes the important role pediatricians play in encouraging and administering age-appropriate vaccines.

The resource:

Features online and printable resources for pediatricians and dental professionals
Explains why the AAP recommends the HPV vaccine as early as age 9
Includes best practices for monitoring and improving vaccination rates

For more information, visit the AAP resource for HPV and other vaccines.

Meet Our New Graduate Student Assistants

Last month, Contrina Huffman, MD, and Duha Magzoub joined the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program as graduate student assistants.

Dr. Contrina Huffman is completing a Master of Public Health degree at Mercer University’s College of Health Professions. She also is a board-certified family physician and a U.S. Army veteran. Huffman served for almost six years as a physician at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After completing a residency in family medicine, she worked in a Memphis geriatrics clinic. Huffman says she is excited and honored to conduct HPV cancer prevention research at St. Jude.

Duha Magzoub is completing a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in epidemiology at the University of Memphis School of Public Health. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in public health from Rutgers University. Her experience includes community health promotion at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey, AmeriCorps in Memphis, and service in the STD/HIV Surveillance division of the Shelby County Health Department. Magzoub says she hopes to contribute to the mission of increasing HPV vaccination rates through education, awareness and evidence-based interventions.

What do you like about this time of the year?

It’s fall, y’all. The St. Jude HPV Team shares a few of their favorite things about this season of change and renewal.

“I travel to Nashville often, and I especially love traveling that direction in the fall. I love to see the leaves change from green to beautiful blends of red, yellow and orange. It is simply a delight.” – Andrea Stubbs, administrative director

“Mrs. Walker was a teacher who lived up the street from us. She always did something different at Halloween. She gave a freshly made candy apple to anyone who could tell of its origin. My sister absolutely loved candy apples. She ran home to access the Encyclopedia Britannica to find the answer. In a few minutes, she was back with the results of her research and won the candy apple! I was so happy for her. Nothing like a candy payday.” – Carol Minor, program coordinator

“Fall is my favorite season, and orange is my favorite color. Naturally, I find this time of year easy to love. I love when the weather and the color of the leaves start to change. My favorite memories are field trips to the pumpkin patch, raking and playing in leaves with my sister, and homecoming games at the University of Southern Mississippi.” – Julia Neely, program coordinator

“This year will be my first fall in Mississippi in approximately 18 years. As I was born in the fall, I am most excited about the cooler weather, leaves changing colors, and pumpkin spice delights. I am also excited about spending time with family and friends.” –Contrina Huffman, graduate student assistant

“My favorite fall memory is walking on the crunchy and colorful leaves. Fall has the perfect weather in my opinion. I can’t wait for cozy sweaters and hot chocolate!” – Duha Magzoub, graduate student assistant

“My favorite Halloween memories are carving pumpkins, decorating, making candy apples, and shopping for Halloween costumes with my grandson, Whitten.” – Ursula LeFlore, administrative specialist

“Every fall, I think of the Anne of Green Gables quote, ‘I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.’ Octobers include some of my favorite things, such as football and the start of basketball season; pumpkins and pumpkin-spice everything; Halloween; and the changing of the season signaled by colorful, falling leaves.” – Heather Brandt, director

Join us in the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program focuses on increasing HPV vaccination and preventing HPV cancers. We aim to galvanize existing successful efforts and introduce new ones to increase HPV vaccination. We have several opportunities for thriving, exceptional talent to join our team. We will hire four individuals—two program coordinators and two postdoctoral fellows—who understand and share the objectives and impetus for St. Jude and our program. If you are interested, apply for a program coordinator position or a postdoctoral fellowship position, or share the link with those who may be an exceptional fit for our team. For more information, visit stjude.org/hpv or email PreventHPV@stjude.org.