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

‘Tis the season to express our gratitude and thanks. This includes being thankful for a safe, effective and durable vaccine to prevent six types of cancer. As we imagine the possibilities, we also remain cognizant of the challenges before us. There is an urgent need to build confidence in vaccinations—especially in ones that help prevent HPV cancers.

The pandemic’s effects continue to show lower rates for HPV vaccination. We want to reverse this trend and get children back on track with recommended vaccinations. The new opportunity for COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 5–11 offers new protection for one of the youngest sectors of society. Now, children ages 9 and older can receive the HPV and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.

In this month’s e-newsletter, the St. Jude HPV team shares what we are thankful for. We also encourage you to consider supporting the work of St. Jude during the Thanks and Giving season. Whether you are making a holiday donation or searching for gifts that give back, you can join us in our quest to find cures and save children.

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.

Arin Parsa, founder of Teens for Vaccines, is an up-and-coming leader in the world of vaccine advocacy. This ninth grader is passionate about education as a tool to overcome vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.

He has received a commendation from President Joe Biden and met with Anthony Fauci, MD. Yet, Parsa says he is most excited about the grassroots work to empower Teens for Vaccines ambassadors. This effort started on social media when he read stories from teens and parents who were hesitant to vaccinate based on misinformation.

Parsa says many adolescents and teens are uninformed about HPV and the importance of vaccines to their future health. His organization trains youth to serve as trusted pro-HPV vaccination ambassadors to peers and parents. The teen ambassadors represent diverse communities in 15 states. They use Instagram and Twitter to provide vaccine stories from teens and to form relationships with advocates in the clinical community.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, this army of student ambassadors has also promoted COVID-19 vaccines. They work with similar organizations across the country to support vaccine uptake. This includes upcoming work with Memphis for All and the “Get Out the Vax Phone Bank” slated for Tuesday, November 9.

Parsa says he is keenly aware that increasing HPV vaccination rates will require many “shoulders to the wheel” from clinicians, parents and a broad range of advocates. Based on the success of Teens for Vaccines, he is well on his way to making inroads and building vaccine confidence.

“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.” - Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director

In May 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine among 12–15-year-old adolescents. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices also endorsed the vaccine’s safety, effectiveness and use. CDC recommends that this vaccine be used among adolescents, with health care providers providing vaccinations at every opportunity.

In recent days, the CDC recommendations have been updated to include use of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine among 5–11 year-olds. COVID-19 vaccines and other routinely recommended vaccines can be given at the same visit. Now is the time to catch up on missed doses of HPV vaccination to prevent future cancers.

Contact a local health department or health care provider today to schedule an appointment for COVID-19 and other necessary vaccinations. Read the CDC media release here and statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics here.

For three decades, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) has saved lives through early detection of breast and cervical cancer.

Established through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990, the program provides uninsured women from low-income brackets with access to breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services. NBCCEDP-funded programs have served more than 5.9 million women and provided more than 15.4 million breast and cervical cancer screenings. As a result of those programs, 4,991 women have been diagnosed with invasive cervical cancers and 229,101 with premalignant cervical lesions, of which 35% were high grade. In 2020, 116,562 women received cervical screening services through NBCCEDP.

The program recently hosted a 30th anniversary event. The virtual platform, Working Toward Health Equity, is available on demand until November 8. To learn more about NBCCEDP and program eligibility or to access archived materials after that date, visit cancerscreeningsaveslives.org.

Get Free St. Jude HPV Education Materials Today

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program has created a series of HPV cancer prevention educational materials. These colorful fact sheets contain essential information about the importance of HPV vaccination as cancer prevention.

There are four versions of the fact sheets to target various audiences: general public, parents, health care providers, and cancer patients and families. The materials emphasize basic information about HPV vaccination and include action steps to prevent HPV cancers.

You can select the versions most appropriate for those you serve. Download the fact sheets online or email PreventHPV@stjude.org to have copies mailed to you.

“The Truth About Vaccines” on the
Autism Dad Podcast with Rob Gorski

“When making health decisions for your family, it’s important to have the facts. I want to direct people to resources that provide trustworthy, science-based information about the safety of vaccines. Vaccines have unfortunately become subject to misinformation and disinformation, which erodes confidence in vaccinations. It is important for me to say this upfront because I know parents and caregivers want to do everything they can to protect their children, and vaccines are part of the formula for protection.”
– Heather Brandt, PhD

In September 2021, Heather Brandt, PhD, was the guest for the Autism Dad Podcast with Rob Gorski. Vaccines remain a hot topic because of COVID-19. Brandt answered tough questions surrounding vaccine safety and efficacy. She also debunked some of the misinformation surrounding vaccines.

Listen to episode 16 of season 4 to get answers to such questions as:

What is a vaccine?
What is the science beyond how vaccines work?
Are vaccines safe?
Why are vaccines important?

Brandt and Gorski also talked about the importance of the HPV vaccine and how it protects children today from HPV cancers in the future.

Access Recordings, Materials from HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable

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 cancers
Priority evidence-based approaches to increasing HPV vaccination

The second session featured:

The influence of the policy landscape on HPV vaccination
HPV cancer survivor and caregiver experiences
HPV cancer survivor and caregiver experiences
Community voices that embrace the local context and diversity of Memphis and Shelby County

Each day concluded with a session to identify next steps and build on the attendees’ expertise.

Access recordings, materials and a report on the event, including action steps.

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

Mark Your Calendar for These Upcoming Events

November 4 (*TODAY*)
Making It Plain: A Town Hall to Assist Parents in Making COVID Vaccination Decisions for Their Children
“Making It Plain: A Town Hall to Assist Parents in Making COVID Vaccination Decisions for Their Children” will be held on November 4 from 7-8:45 p.m. EST. Parents are confronted with difficult decisions necessary to protect their children from the COVID pandemic. As a result, parents have questions about vaccines, masks, participating in school, and much more. The Black Coalition Against COVID with several national partners have assembled an extraordinary group of trusted experts to answer commonly asked questions. Join the town hall at Facebook.com/BlackDoctor.org or YouTube.com/BlackDoctororg.

November 15–19
34th International Papillomavirus Conference and Basic Science, Clinical and Public Health Workshops
The theme of this event is “Research and Education for HPV Elimination.” Researchers, clinicians and other health professionals will gather to share knowledge and ideas on papillomaviruses and their associated diseases. The conference and workshop 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. Hear the latest research and nurture collaborations with the global HPV community.

Register today for this November 15–19 event.

November 18
National Rural Health Day
Rural communities are wonderful places to live and work, which is why approximately 57 million people – 1 in 5 Americans—call them home. These rural communities also have unique health care needs.

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health sets aside the third Thursday of every November to celebrate National Rural Health Day. This year’s observance, “Celebrate the Power of Rural,” will honor the selfless, community-minded spirit that prevails in rural America. The event showcases the efforts of health care providers, state government and other stakeholders to address the health care challenges that people living in rural areas face today and into the future.

In terms of HPV vaccination, children living in rural regions have lower HPV vaccination rates as compared to those in urban areas. Efforts are needed to ensure access and build vaccination confidence in rural communities.

December 3, 10
9th Annual HPV Related Cancer Summit Hosted by the Massachusetts HPV Coalition
The Massachusetts HPV Coalition will host its 9th Annual HPV Related Cancer Summit December 3 and 10, from 1–4 p.m. EST each day.

This virtual event features survivors and national experts speaking on HPV vaccination, cancer disparities and the impact of COVID-19 on HPV vaccination rates. The summit’s goal is to increase understanding of the HPV disease burden and unite providers who provide vaccinations with those who detect, diagnose and treat HPV-related cancers. Dr. Noel Brewer is one of the featured speakers at this event.

Registration details are being finalized. For more information, visit mahpvcoalition.org or email Kelly@TeamMaureen.org.

For what are you thankful?

It is hard to believe we are 18 months into a pandemic. However, there is always room to express gratitude for blessings as we remember those who have been affected by the pandemic. The St. Jude HPV Team shares a few things for which they are thankful and even some blessings that have emerged during the pandemic.

“The pandemic has reinvigorated my love and appreciation for the great outdoors. I began bike riding more and taking long walks to exercise and enjoy the beauty of nature. I now have a new collection of photos from all my outdoor adventures.” – Andrea Stubbs, administrative director

“When I thought the pandemic was going to keep me inside, my neighbors and I got to walking, almost every day. Our subdivision was closed to traffic, so it was easy to meet up and walk, at a distance of course. With the sun coming up on a new day, we were getting exercise and fresh air. COVID-19 could not keep us down.” – Carol Minor, program coordinator

“I am most thankful for resilience. Through the pandemic, I have learned more about facing challenges and making adjustments with grace and humility.” – Julia Neely, program coordinator

“One thing that I am thankful for is family. Family has proven to be a blessing during the pandemic. During the pandemic, I was blessed to still continue in my career; however, it was very stressful. My family proved to be my strongest support system, advocate and confidante. I had the opportunity to bond with them and get to know them more personally. I also had the opportunity to spend more time with my aging mother. Family is a blessing.” – Contrina Huffman, graduate student assistant

“The pandemic has taught me to be very thankful for my health, family, and friends. The biggest blessing has been prioritizing my mental health and enjoying little things in life, such as taking walks a couple of times a week or enjoying some fresh air on my balcony.” – Duha Magzoub, graduate student assistant

“I'm thankful for good health and being able to continue to work during the pandemic. I’m thankful and blessed to have a great support system from family and friends. The pandemic has made me realize things in life that were taken for granted now have a special meaning.” – Ursula LeFlore, administrative specialist

“I am grateful for a loving and supportive family members and friends and to work at St. Jude with incredible people who are deeply committed to making our world a better and healthier place.” – Heather Brandt, director

Join us in the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program:
Postdoctoral Positions Available

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 opportunities for thriving, exceptional talent to join our team. We will hire two postdoctoral fellows—who understand and share the objectives and impetus for St. Jude and our program and will continue to develop their own research programs. If you are interested, apply for 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.