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

A World of Octobers

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." – Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

This October, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. On October 2, we hosted a seminar dedicated to exploring HPV cancer prevention with Hispanic/Latino populations. October also is LGBT History Month. Historically, estimates of HPV vaccination coverage among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations have been unclear and inconsistent. What has been clear is the high burden of HPV disease among some SGM populations, such as men who have sex with men and transgender females, and the need for action. A new article from Rana et al. in the Journal of Community Health describes an assessment of HPV vaccination among people who identify as LGBTQI+. The results offer some promising insight into HPV vaccination among study participants aged 18-26 years of whom 77% reported receiving at least one dose of HPV vaccine.

This fall, it is time for our program to conduct an evaluation to assess the value and impact of our activities to improve HPV vaccination. Be on the lookout for an invitation email and then specific link to complete the brief survey. Your participation is important to ensure we understand what to keep doing and how we can improve.

Our program’s monthly Path to Prevention newsletter includes updates on major activities and initiatives, partner activities and updates. We also have quarterly communications focused on rural HPV cancer prevention and promoting HPV vaccination in the southeastern U.S. If you have anything you would like for us to share, please email us at PreventHPV@stjude.org.

We Are Hiring!

Are you passionate about HPV cancer prevention? Join our team at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as a program coordinator in the HPV Cancer Prevention Program.

We have an exciting opportunity for a program coordinator in the HPV Cancer Prevention Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We are seeking an individual who understands and shares the objectives of the organization and the impetus for this program focused on improving HPV vaccination and preventing HPV cancers in the St. Jude catchment area and beyond. The HPV Cancer Prevention Program offers ample opportunities for professional development and growth. This position offers a remote work option for qualified candidates who do not reside in the local area. If you are an exceptional listener, communicator, and teammate who has a passion to lead and serve others, then this might be the job for you!

Learn more and apply here. If you have questions, email PreventHPV@stjude.org.

Do Animals Talk to Each Other When We're Not Looking?

Kids are asking these types of questions, not about HPV. The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program’s national public awareness campaign "Their Future is in Your Hands" focuses on this simple yet powerful truth: Kids aren't thinking about HPV vaccination that's why parents need to. We know HPV vaccination protects children from six types of cancer in adulthood. HPV is common and preventable, affecting nearly everyone at some point. Prioritize HPV vaccination between ages 9 and 12 for maximum effectiveness. Choosing HPV vaccination can lead to an HPV cancer free future for children.

The campaign continues to roll out resources in support of on-time HPV vaccination. Watch for more social media posts on the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program Facebook page.

Find HPV vaccination near you: Click on “find HPV vaccination” on the campaign website to connect to healthychildren.org to facilitate finding a pediatrician or pediatric specialist for HPV vaccination close to the person looking for a provider. The search is enabled to identify providers by zip code or city and allows for specific searches by provider last name.

Schedule an HPV vaccination reminder: The campaign website includes a schedule reminder to help parents, caregivers, and those who make vaccination decisions for children to keep children on schedule for HPV vaccination. Anyone can enter an email address, cell phone number, and child’s birthday to receive a prompt to schedule HPV vaccination.

Healthcare provider resources and testimonials: Recommendations from trusted providers are the primary reason why parents choose HPV vaccination for their child. The campaign includes resources for healthcare providers and also the opportunity for healthcare providers and professionals to submit testimonials in support of HPV vaccination.

Educational resources promoting HPV vaccination as cancer prevention:

Check out more campaign resources at stjude.org/preventHPV and follow us on Facebook.

Since 1968, National Hispanic Heritage Month has been from September 15 to October 15 in the United States. It is a time to celebrate and recognize the history, culture, contributions and experiences of Latinos in America. It also provides an opportunity for us to commit to efforts to improve unbiased health care and HPV cancer prevention.

Hispanic people are identified as natives of Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South or Central America, or other Spanish origins. They comprise nearly 20% of the U.S. population, totaling 62.1 million people as of the 2020 Census. States with the largest Hispanic populations include California, Texas, Florida, and New York.

As of 2023, data from National Immunization Survey (NIS)-Teen reported that Hispanic adolescents aged 13-17 have higher HPV vaccination rates than the overall U.S. average, with 81% receiving at least one dose and 63.6% being up to date. However, according to the National Center for Health Statistics data, Hispanic children were 34.4% less likely than White non-Hispanic children (39.9%) to have received one or more HPV vaccine doses.

For this reason, it is important to consider different data sources and interpretations to better disaggregate Hispanic/Latino categories and improve coverage estimates across subgroups, providing a more nuanced understanding of vaccination disparities and informing targeted interventions. While all HPV cancer rates are lower for people who identify as Hispanic or Latino, the majority of cervical cancer cases in the U.S. (up to 75%) occur in Hispanic women. Along with the HPV vaccination in adolescents remaining high, timely cervical cancer screening and follow-up care for Hispanic people with a cervix are crucial for detecting precancerous cells in the cervix, preventing incident cases of cervical cancer, and initiating treatment at the earliest stage of diagnosis.

HPV vaccination prevents 90% of HPV cancers. The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program promotes on-time vaccination for 9-to-12-year-olds to ensure a lifetime of protection against six types of cancers. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it is a time to reflect on the contributions of the Hispanic community and focus on addressing health disparities, such as increasing access to preventive care, including HPV vaccination, to protect future generations.

We invite you to explore our seminar series on Empowering and Strengthening Community, Culture, and Connection to Prevent HPV Cancers in the Hispanic/Latino Community. Below is the front page of a fact sheet that will be available next week about preventing HPV cancers with Hispanic/Latino populations.

Empowering and Strengthening Community, Culture and Conversation to Prevent HPV Cancers Seminar Series

The Empowering and Strengthening Community, Culture, and Connection to Prevent HPV Cancers virtual seminar series was created to explore disparities in HPV vaccination and HPV cancers among various racial and ethnic groups and discuss strategies to improve HPV vaccination coverage to prevent HPV cancers.

Our first seminar was launched in May of this year during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – “Understanding HPV Vaccination and HPV Cancer Disparities among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders." Access the recording and PowerPoint slides from the May seminar here.

The second seminar was held earlier this month during Hispanic Heritage Month – “Vacunación Sin Barreras”: Addressing HPV Vaccination Inequities and HPV Cancer Disparities in Hispanic and Latino Communities.” Access the unedited recording of the October seminar here. An edited version of the recording and PowerPoint slides will be posted on the stjude.org/HPV website in the future.

Our next seminar will be held during Native American Heritage Month on November 6 from noon to 1:15 p.m. – “Empowering American Indian and Alaskan Native communities: Bridging Gaps in HPV Vaccination and Cancer Prevention.” Register here.

Join the 2024 ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable: Spotlight on Rural Efforts to Increase HPV Vaccination

Attend the ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable Annual Meeting virtually from October 7-11, with daily sessions from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Central Time. On October 10, the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program will present on our collaborative rural initiatives to increase HPV vaccination coverage with rural communities. This presentation will feature a discussion with key partners, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, and an external consultant who assisted in updating the HPV vaccination and cancer data in rural areas. Register here.

Preventing HPV Cancers with Rural Communities: Updates and Opportunities
Quarterly Updates Meeting: November 21

Join us on National Rural Health Day on November 21 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Central Time, for the next St. Jude quarterly updates meeting focused on improving rural HPV vaccination coverage. Sara Wales, HPV Coordinator from the Louisiana Immunization Program, and Henry Hom, Director of the Louisiana Immunization Coalition (Shots for Tots), will discuss the rural aspects of their statewide multi-media HPV vaccine campaign, while Sara Dillard, Communications Director for We the People Vax, will present on their efforts to promote the patriotism of vaccinating, especially in rural areas. As always, the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program will provide updates on the six priority action steps to enhance rural HPV vaccination coverage. Register here.

CDC Releases Rural Public Health Strategic Plan

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office of Rural Health has launched its first-ever Rural Public Health Strategic Plan, outlining key priorities, objectives, and outcomes to improve the health of people living in rural America. As part of its efforts to improve rural health, the CDC partners with hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, state and community coalitions, and national organizations to eliminate preventable cancers and ensure timely screenings for all. One key initiative is the use of the ECHO (Extension for Community Health Care Outcomes) tele-mentoring platform, which trains and supports patient navigators to enhance cancer survivor care in rural areas. This platform is already making a difference in communities across Kansas, Montana, Nevada, and South Carolina, helping cancer survivors live longer, healthier lives.

Join our efforts to improve rural HPV vaccination coverage.
Visit the Preventing HPV Cancers in Rural Communities website at stjude.org/hpvruralor sign up here to receive the latest information on our rural HPV coverage efforts. Email PreventHPV@stjude.org with any questions.

Wide Open Spaces: Supporting HPV Vaccination with Rural Communities

Bridging Gaps: Addressing HPV Awareness and Vaccination Challenges in Hispanic/Latino Rural Communities
By: Gabriel A. Benavidez, PhD, Baylor University

Hispanic and Latino populations represent a significant and growing demographic in the United States, including in rural communities. Despite the overall decline in rural populations from 2010 to 2020, the number of people identifying as Hispanic and Latino living in rural areas has grown by nearly a million people. This growing demographic of Hispanics/Latinos and rural populations presents unique challenges in combatting HPV cancers in rural areas.

Read more about this project here.

About the Author: Gabriel A. Benavidez, PhD, is an epidemiologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health at Baylor University. His research focuses on identifying disparities in health care access, particularly in rural and minority populations. His work investigates how improving access to care across the cancer continuum—such as detection, treatment, and survivorship—can alleviate the cancer burden in socially disadvantaged communities.

We invite guest contributors to share information on how they are working to improve HPV vaccination in rural areas. If you are interested in contributing or learning more about our efforts to improve HPV vaccination with rural communities, please email us at PreventHPV@stjude.org.

HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast

The HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast continues to focus on activities related to its three priority actions: communication, elimination, and starting HPV vaccination at age 9.

The Communication Implementation Team has contracted with an external communication agency to develop campaign concepts and is on track to launch a regionally focused campaign in January 2025 with materials available to Southeast Roundtable members in early December. The Communications Implementation Team will host a campaign kick-off event on December 10 from noon – 1 p.m. Central Time. Register here.

The Elimination Implementation Team has been closely monitoring HPV cancer elimination efforts beginning with cervical cancer as a public health problem. This implementation team recently completed a needs assessment to better understand the landscape around elimination. In addition to these efforts, on September 21, a statement from the White House announced the launch of a Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative across the United States, Australia, India, and Japan to reduce the burden of cancer in the Indo-Pacific, starting with cervical cancer. Similarly, on September 24, the director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) called for urgent action to eliminate cervical cancer in the Americas. On October 2, PAHO hosted Cervical Cancer Elimination: Advancing the call to action in the Americas. The following resources were also released:

The Elimination Implementation Team also has resources available on HPV cancer elimination.

Elimination Fact Sheet: Access detailed information about our elimination efforts, key statistics, and the impact of HPV vaccination. Access here.
Achieving Cervical Cancer Elimination in the Southeast (June 6, 2024) Recording: If you missed the training session, you can watch the full recording to catch up on the latest elimination plans and best practices for HPV cancer elimination. Access here.

The Age 9 Implementation Team is holding a health care provider training to underscore the importance of beginning HPV vaccination discussions, recommendations, and administration at age 9. On October 31 from noon to 2 p.m. Central Time, they will host a virtual Unity 3Cs training program for health care providers. If you have a recommendation for a healthcare provider to join this training, please email PreventHPV@stjude.org.

Partner Activities and Updates

Arkansas

The Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics hosted their two-day annual educational conference “Creating Healthy Futures for Kids” on September 6 and 7. The meeting highlighted key health initiatives for pediatricians such as type 1 diabetes prevention and trauma-informed care. Resources for children with disabilities were provided along with a panel discussion from Arkansas state legislative representatives. The Protecting Alana's Possibilities video was also featured to highlight the importance of HPV vaccination. This event was a great opportunity to connect and discuss ways to make an impactful change in Arkansas for children's health.

Louisiana

The Louisiana Cancer Prevention & Control Programs (LCP) will host the in-person Louisiana Cervical Cancer Elimination Summit on November 14, 2024. This one-day event will bring together key partners to discuss the current state of cervical cancer in Louisiana and collaborate on developing a state plan to eliminate this preventable disease. This is an invitation only event. We look forward to reporting on the outcomes of the meeting in a future communication.

Mississippi

In Mississippi, the rate of HPV vaccination among adolescents has remained stable at around 38%, well-below average for the U.S. and well-below the goals of 80% for the state. We have made great progress with provider education and access to care through efforts by our local pediatricians, family medicine providers, and health departments. One of the major gaps that remains is education about the importance of HPV vaccination. The Mississippi section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is exploring a new communication channel to reach some of the public and changing opinions through social media reels from medical professionals and survivors. A contest is being held to produce a social media reel combating misconceptions of HPV vaccination and promoting cervical cancer awareness and vaccination. The winning reel will be featured on ACOG District VII’s social media pages and entered for a service project award for the national meeting. ACOG District VII will announce the reel during their HPV Vaccine Summit on October 10, 2024, 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Central Time. The Summit will feature a gynecologic oncologist from Alabama discussing their WIPE OUT campaign, a reproductive endocrinologist discussing fertility concerns with HPV infection and vaccination, as well as a gynecologic oncology social media guru discussing the impact of social media with medical information.

Here is more information on the social media contest.

Tennessee

The Tennessee Families for Vaccines, supported by the Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable, invites you to join new and experienced vaccine champions in the Chattanooga and Hamilton County area on Saturday, December 7 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Eastern Time, for fun, fellowship, and food. We will learn about legislative advocacy, countering mis- and dis-information, and immunization policy in Tennessee. Spending time with other advocates, families, and community leaders will leave you feeling welcomed, informed, empowered, and capable. This free event is open to the community as we set a foundation for advocacy in future legislative sessions. Register here.

Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee

4th Annual Meeting of the Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable
The Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable successfully hosted its 4th Annual Meeting on September 24 at the beautiful Memphis Botanic Garden. The theme, "HPV Vaccination in Full Bloom," perfectly reflected both the vibrant setting and our ongoing efforts to promote HPV vaccination. Nearly 100 healthcare providers and public health professionals attended, engaging in a full day of discussions focused on the Roundtable's progress over the past year, updated HPV vaccination data, and evidence-based programs aimed at improving HPV cancer prevention.

HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable Postcards

Autumn leaves and pumpkins please! The Memphis Roundtable is ready to welcome the fall season with a new pumpkin themed postcard to promote HPV vaccination. The postcards encourage parents and caregivers to carve out time to prevent HPV cancers and emphasizes HPV vaccination is cancer prevention and starts at age 9. Access the postcards at stjude.org/memphis-roundtable. You also can email PreventHPV@stjude.org to request copies to be mailed to you.

Collegiate Ambassador Organization Tigers VAX Now is Paving the Way to Eliminate HPV
The Tigers Vax Now Ambassador Program was launched two years ago at the University of Memphis to train students to become ambassadors and promote awareness and knowledge about HPV vaccination. The program aims to build a campus culture that normalizes HPV vaccination as a means of cancer prevention, targeting college-aged individuals as the "catch-up" population for HPV vaccination. With supervision and support from Seokwon Jin, PhD, Sohye Lee, RN, and the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention team, the ambassadors have hosted educational programs, including panel discussions, resource tables, and presentations for health education classes. Tigers VAX Now has recently become a Registered Student Organization at the University of Memphis. Tigers VAX Now Senior Ambassador Alyssa Cavness said she looks forward to recruiting more ambassadors and continuing to educate her peers.

Additional Partner Updates

ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable Annual Meeting,
October 7-11
Help the ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable celebrate its 10-year birthday by participating in the annual meeting under the theme “Celebrate & Innovate: 10 Years.” The virtual meeting will be held daily on October 7-11 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Central Time. Join the National Roundtable, members, and supporters for the virtual party to toast 10 years of progress, achievements, and memories and look forward to the opportunities on the horizon. Register here.

Can the HPV Vaccine Health Conquer Latina Cervical Cancer? Program from the Latino Cancer Institute.
Discover how the HPV vaccine, new self-tests, and patient navigation approaches could be game changers in the battle against cervical cancer among Latinas. The expert panel will discuss: Current trends in Latina cervical cancer; the Long-term effectiveness of the HPV vaccine; Building a National Roadmap to eliminate cervical cancer; Community health navigator training initiatives. This virtual event will be held on October 18, from 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Register here.

2025 National HPV Conference: April 15-17, 2025, Abstracts due October 15

The 2025 National HPV Conference on April 15-17, 2025, will bring together professionals from all HPV disciplines and backgrounds to work towards eliminating HPV cancers. This conference is for advocates, community health workers, clinical professionals, policy, health educators, and more. Sign up here to be notified when registration opens. The call for abstracts for the inaugural National HPV Conference is now live and details are available on the website. Abstracts are due on October 15, 2024, at 7 p.m. Central Time. Posters and Oral presentations will be accepted. Submit your abstract here.

“This past summer, I had the pleasure of connecting with 901PromiseWalk to raise awareness about pre-eclampsia and other hypertensive pregnancy disorders. As a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council at Rhodes College, it was an honor to join in spreading the message and walking for mothers battling pre-eclampsia and survivors. It filled my heart to continue advocating for a cause that I’m deeply passionate about maternal health” –Shanteise Bonds, student assistant

“I co-chaired the health committee for a young professional's group in Memphis. We organized a cooking class at Church Health and prepared 150 healthy meals, all of which were donated to their patient population” - Julia Brown, program manager

“I volunteered with Service Over Self in Memphis, TN, where I worked on building roofs for families in need. It was an incredible opportunity to give back to the community, providing essential repairs that made a difference in people’s lives. The teamwork, hands-on experience, and seeing the direct impact of our efforts made it a truly fulfilling project.” – Penelope Burns, student assistant

“I had the privilege of being a coach for an organization called "Girls on the Run" during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. I met with a group of young girls during the week to help them improve their self-esteem and build their running endurance.” – Portia Knowlton, program coordinator

“When I was in Knoxville, TN, I used to volunteer at the Knox Area Rescue Ministries. I participated several times serving meals to individuals struggling with homelessness, poverty, mental illness, and addiction” - Pragya Gautam Poudel, postdoctoral fellow

“I organized a volunteer night for my church at the Memphis Union Misson, so that we could come together and serve meals to men who were in need.” - Karlisa Cryer, medical content writer

“I volunteered at a free community haircut and hairstyle event” - Ursula Leflore, administrative specialist

“Every year in my hometown, I helped organize a community event called Ciclovia, that transformed the streets into car-free zones for five hours. This allowed families to run, walk, skate, and bike while enjoying various active events and activities. - “Duha Magzoub, program coordinator

“I had the opportunity to help develop and implement a food voucher program to address food insecurity in underserved rural communities. Witnessing the positive impact on local families and helping to alleviate hunger was incredibly meaningful.” – Lori Lindgren, program coordinator

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, my daily walks led me to befriend three unhoused men, whom I regularly brought water, masks, and chocolate. Our conversations and the treats brought them joy, and I continue to see them on my walks today, preserving our bond.” – Andrea Stubbs, administrative director

“Being a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has always inspired me to make a difference in my community. I have been able to give back in many ways, from organizing fundraisers and donating to charities to participating in highway cleanups to help keep our environment clean and welcoming. One of my favorite ways to give back, though, is during the Thanksgiving season, when I assist my undergraduate chapter in hosting their annual Thanksgiving Fest.” – Akeria Taylor, program coordinator

“In the past two years, I co-led a Spanish-language theater play aimed at educating the Hispanic community on HIV prevention and stigma reduction. In the future, I hope we can expand this initiative to increase HIV testing and use the play as a platform to gather valuable information that can help improve access to care for this community.” – Cristóbal Valdebenito, program coordinator

“I have been fortunate throughout my life to watch and be a part of making a difference in many situations. I will never forget the generosity of friends and strangers in 2015 in Columbia, South Carolina in the wake of the devastation of historic, so-called “1000-year” flooding caused by Hurricane Joaquin. We worked hundreds of hours helping with recovery and rebuilding efforts. In this spirit, we recently made donations to support recovery from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene across the southeast. We know what it is like to need these resources to help your neighbors and rebuild communities.” - Heather Brandt, director

Get Free St. Jude HPV Education Materials

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program has created a series of HPV fact sheets that emphasize basic information about HPV vaccination and include action steps to prevent HPV cancers.

Four versions of the fact sheets target various audiences:

General public
Parents
Health care providers
Cancer patients and families

 
Select the versions in English or Spanish most appropriate for those you serve. Download the fact sheets or email PreventHPV@stjude.org to have copies mailed to you.

About St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. That’s why St. Jude is raising awareness on vaccination for human papillomavirus (HPV), which can prevent six types of cancer caused by the virus. As the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center dedicated solely to children, St. Jude has an important role and responsibility in increasing the number of children who benefit from the HPV vaccine and reducing their risk of preventable cancers later in life.

On-time HPV vaccination provides safe, effective, and long-lasting protection against the most common types of HPV linked to cancers. The vaccine is most effective when started at age 9 and completed by the 13th birthday, but it’s recommended for everyone through age 26 and for some people through age 45.

HPV vaccination has been routinely recommended by health care professionals in the U.S. since 2006. Most children can receive an HPV vaccine at no cost, and it can be administered safely along with other routine vaccinations. With more than 500 million doses administered worldwide, HPV vaccines are preventing new cases of cancer every day.

It’s not too late to help protect your child against HPV cancers later in life - learn more at stjude.org/PreventHPV and ask your doctor about HPV vaccination today. Email PreventHPV@stjude.org with any questions.