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

Leave No Population Behind

We have not yet achieved the Healthy People 2030 goal of 80% vaccinated against HPV in the U.S. We know there are many populations that continue to have lower HPV vaccination coverage and experience high rates of HPV cancers. This month, we will hold the first in a series of virtual seminars focused on uncovering inequities in HPV cancer prevention to make sure as we begin discussions about elimination that we leave no population behind. Our first seminar on May 14 will focus on people who identify as Asian American and/or Pacific Islander. This will include experts who are part of these communities and are working to address inequities.

In closing, I want to pay tribute to an exceptional mentor, colleague, and friend who is a transformative leader in cancer prevention and control – Dr. Debbie Saslow. For more than 20 years, I have had the privilege of being in the same rooms as Dr. Saslow and soaking up everything she imparts. In a recent communication from the ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable, they summarized her accomplishments and expressed gratitude on behalf of all of us whom she has inspired, encouraged, and challenged (see figure below). She has tirelessly advocated for the changes we need to prevent more cases of cancer – and eliminate HPV cancers beginning with cervical cancer as a public health problem. She played a role in forming our program at St. Jude as well. Dr. Saslow recently left her position with the American Cancer Society for a new opportunity. I look forward to continuing to learn from her and remain one of her biggest fans.

HPV vaccination is cancer prevention.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a month dedicated to recognizing the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the contributions they have made to the United States. It is a time to honor the vibrant cultures and impact of these communities. And what better way for the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program to honor this month of recognition than by delving into a crucial health topic affecting AAPI populations?

People who identify as AAPI have lower rates of HPV cancers overall and also lower HPV vaccination coverage overall. However, existing research limits the interpretation of important differences that may require urgent action. Utilizing disaggregated data to understand the impact of individual racial, ethnic, and cultural identities can be crucial for understanding disparities in HPV vaccination coverage and rates of HPV cancers. By empowering and strengthening community, culture, and connections, these strengths can be leveraged to prevent cancers with Asian American and Pacific Islander communities through tailored outreach and approaches.

Dr. Milkie Vu, Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University and colleagues reviewed current research to propose tailored strategies for improving HPV vaccine uptake in AAPI communities. These strategies include fostering cultural competence and communication skills among healthcare providers to effectively convey HPV vaccination education in culturally sensitive ways, ensuring that Asian caregivers and patients can easily understand the information. Additionally, they suggest utilizing familial relationships to cultivate favorable attitudes and behaviors towards vaccination among Asian caregivers and patients. Finally, interventions should account for the diversity of Asian American communities, encompassing language, beliefs, practices, and differences in vaccine acceptance and uptake rates among various Asian subgroups.

Beyond the Numbers: Understanding and Addressing HPV Vaccination and HPV Cancer Disparities among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

As we embark on a month-long celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage, we are launching the first of our Empowering and Strengthening Community, Culture and Connection to Prevent HPV Cancers seminar series with Beyond the Numbers: Understanding and Addressing HPV Vaccination and HPV Cancer Disparities among Asian American and Pacific Islanders on May 14 from noon to 1:15 pm Central Time. This virtual seminar will provide a platform to explore disparities in HPV vaccination and HPV cancers within AAPI communities. The goal is to shed light on opportunities for building on the strengths of the AAPI community to address HPV cancer prevention.

Panelists will present data showcasing existing disparities, emphasize the significance of disaggregated data for AAPI subgroups, and discuss strategies for enhancing HPV cancer prevention efforts within this population.

Angela Chia-Chen Chen, PhD, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC, FAANP, Professor, McLaren Greater Lansing Endowed Chair for Behavioral Mental Health Nursing Education Michigan State University College of Nursing,
Seok Won Jin, PhD, MSW, MA, School of Social Work at the University of Memphis,
Jaimie Z. Shing, PhD, MPH, Staff Scientist, US National Cancer Institute, and
Ha Ngan (Milkie) Vu, PhD, MA, Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
Anna Ogo, Cervivor Ambassador and Cervivor Japan Liaison
Moderator: Julie HT Dang, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Health Policy and Management, Executive Director, Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

The seminar will include a moderated discussion featuring all panelists and insights from cancer survivor and advocate, Anna Ogo. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of this crucial conversation, aiming to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by HPV cancers within AAPI communities.

Register here.

Inspired to Act: Anna Ogo Shares Her Survivorship Story

We are pleased to share Anna Ogo’s survivorship story during Asian American and/or Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Anna was diagnosed with cervical cancer during the pandemic in March 2021. She was born and raised in Japan; she came to the U.S. for work at the age of 27. Anna never missed a cervical screening, which saved her life but did not prevent her from getting cancer. She has channeled her personal experience into advocacy and will continue to share her story to help others. You can catch her in the Beyond the Numbers: Understanding and Addressing HPV Vaccination and HPV Cancer Disparities among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders seminar on May 14.

Read more here about Anna’s survivorship journey.

Improving Rural Vaccination Coverage

Quarterly Updates Meeting: May 22

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program will host its next quarterly updates meeting, Preventing HPV Cancers with Rural Communities: Updates and Opportunities, on May 22, 2024, from 1-2 p.m. Central Time. The event will showcase a presentation from ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable Emerging Leaders Program participants who will share insights and results to improve HPV vaccination rates within rural communities. Additionally, our program will highlight the latest developments surrounding the six priority action steps for improving rural HPV vaccination coverage.

Register here to secure your spot and be a part of this discussion.

ACS Rural HPV Vaccination Learning Community Webinar

On April 10, Dr. Bednarcyk, Assistant Professor at Emory University, delved into the intricacies of HPV data sources and collection methods. Highlighting the diverse array of available data sources, Dr. Bednarcyk emphasized the importance of understanding their individual strengths and limitations, particularly in assessing geographic distribution of vaccine uptake. Recognizing the necessity for more detailed data, he underscored the value of collaborating with state departments of health and immunization information system (IIS) teams to explore avenues for accessing and analyzing data at a substate level, thus bolstering evidence-based prevention efforts.

In addition to Dr. Bednarcyk's insights, a panel of experts from various organizations shared their perspectives on HPV data management. Among the challenges discussed were the imperative for staff training in information systems and ensuring accurate data entry. However, amidst these challenges, the panelists unanimously acknowledged the transformative power of data-driven decision-making in bolstering HPV vaccination rates and pinpointing areas requiring intensified intervention efforts. You can view the recording here.

This webinar served as a platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among participants, illuminating both the complexities and opportunities inherent in leveraging HPV data to advance public health initiatives.

For more information and to register for future webinars, visit the website here.

Join our efforts to improve rural HPV vaccination coverage.

Visit the Preventing HPV Cancers in Rural Communities website at stjude.org/hpvrural or 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

Implementing a Mobile HPV Vaccination Program in South Carolina

In 2016, South Carolina had among the lowest HPV vaccination rates in the United States. The Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center (MUSC HCC) senior leaders subsequently identified suboptimal HPV vaccination rates in medically underserved communities in South Carolina. To address this major public health problem, they applied for and received funding from the Healthy Me/Healthy South Carolina program and MUSC HCC to develop a statewide community outreach and engagement-focused Mobile HPV Vaccination Program in October 2021. The program provides HPV vaccinations and other childhood vaccinations in school districts throughout South Carolina, and during Healthy Me/Healthy South Carolina health clinics and other community events, focusing on children aged 9-18 who are eligible for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccines for Children Program. The mobile unit is particularly important for rural communities in South Carolina to offer an additional access point for recommended childhood vaccinations.

Read more here.

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

Since the in-person meeting of the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast in January, we have been focusing our attention on implementing three priority action items identified by the Southeast Roundtable members.

Develop and implement a communication campaign and messages for the Southeastern region.
Develop and disseminate a plan for HPV cancer elimination in the Southeast, beginning with cervical cancer as a public health problem.
Accelerate efforts to start HPV vaccination at age 9.

In April, we held the last follow-up meeting, again focused on the priority action items. Each priority action will be led by a St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program team member, and we also need the engagement and participation of Southeast Roundtable members and thought leaders across the region. If you are interested in joining as a primary champion or implementation team member or joining the planning committee and representing your jurisdiction, please email us at PreventHPV@stjude.org.

During the April 24 meeting several announcements were made with updates in the Southeast:

1.) Dr. Mariana Arevalo gave a presentation on the HPV Elimination Leading Progress Statewide (HELPS) 2024 Summit Recap. For more information, contact Dr. Arevalo, mariana.arevalo@moffitt.org.

2.) National Immunization Conference - Atlanta, Georgia from August 12-14, 2024.

3.) 36th International Papillomavirus Conference- Equitable, Evidence-based Approaches to HPV Disease Edinburgh, Scotland from November 12-15, 2024.

Abstracts due May 6. Register here.

4.) National HPV Conference - Equitable, Evidence-based Approaches to HPV Disease in Indianapolis, Indiana from April 15-17, 2025

Abstracts due September 1. Register here.

Access the three follow-up meetings since the in-person meeting that continued conversations about the priority actions and provided a chance for Southeast Roundtable members to share updates.

Follow-up Meeting #1, February 14
Follow-up Meeting #2, March 20
Follow-up Meeting #3, April 24

Upcoming Virtual Elimination Seminar

June 6, 11-1 pm ET /10 am-12 pm CT:
Achieving Cervical Cancer Elimination in the Southeast

Learn about the process of developing an elimination plan in Alabama – Operation Wipeout – from Dr. Isabel Scarinci and Nancy Wright and then, let's get started with elimination planning for the southeast.

Register here.

The mission of the Mississippi HPV Roundtable (MSHPVRT) is to build collaboration, enhance communication, and work across Mississippi to increase HPV vaccination. Since launching the MSHPVRT, we have been fortunate to engage over 180 members from diverse sectors, including immunization, cancer control, academia, professional societies, community organizations, state and local agencies, private foundations, and health systems. We have three workgroups which represent the roundtable's priority areas:

(1) strengthening provider education and recommendations

(2) engaging systems change

(3) increasing parent and community knowledge

A fundamental premise of the MSHPVRT is that collective action among the member organizations will lead to an increase and sustainability of HPV vaccination rates that we could not accomplish by working alone. MSHPVRT members have worked together to share information, identify needs and opportunities, and enhance programs, activities, and services relating to HPV vaccination. The strength of our partnerships enhances the work of each member and thus effectively furthers the case of eliminating HPV vaccine-preventable cancers in Mississippi.

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program is proud of the continuous collaborative efforts with the Mississippi HPV Roundtable to educate parents and caregivers about the benefits of HPV vaccination.

Amy Ellis is the Associate Director of State Partnerships at the American Cancer Society (ACS)and part of her role at ACS is to lead the Mississippi HPV Roundtable (MSHPVRT).

“It is our hope that parents and caregivers seek information through reputable sources to gain the proper knowledge so they can protect their children against HPV related cancers. We hope to spare women, men and their families the unnecessary pain, stress, and financial burden associated with cancer. We believe that by working together as a roundtable, we can move towards ending vaccine-preventable HPV cancers as a public health problem.”

Alabama

On April 25, VAX 2 STOP CANCER held its third annual "A Shot at Prevention" in-person luncheon. The event focused on three important areas related to HPV-associated cancers: cancer prevention, survivorship, and progress in Alabama. The aim was to raise funds to reduce the burden of HPV-related cancer. The keynote speaker, Heather Brandt, PhD, discussed how HPV vaccination is cancer prevention. She also emphasized the importance of eliminating HPV-related cancers, starting with cervical cancer, and making policy changes, such as Medicaid expansion.

Louisiana

Louisiana Families for Vaccines Hosts 3rd Day of Action for Vaccines at Louisiana State Capitol

Monday, April 29, Louisiana Families for Vaccines (LFV) hosted the 3rd Annual Day of Action for Vaccines at the Louisiana State Capitol. The event was supported by a total of 25 diverse community organizations, including St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program. Twelve organizations hosted resource tables in the Capitol Roundtable including the American Academy of Pediatrics - Louisiana Chapter, the Louisiana Vaccine Alliance, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, the Louisiana School Nurses Organization, the Greater New Orleans Immunization Network, the Louisiana School Based Health Alliance, the Louisiana Primary Care Association and four of their federally qualified health clinics, including Priority Health Care and Access Health Louisiana. In addition, Life Share Blood Center held a blood drive to highlight the need for blood donation amidst a critical blood shortage.

Despite a heavy downpour, the Day of Action saw a remarkable turnout of over 40 advocates. During a morning training, each advocate was given information on current childhood immunization rates, vaccine legislation being considered by the Louisiana legislature this year, and the importance of advocating for evidence-based vaccine policy. LFV and their partners have been monitoring 16 pieces of vaccine legislation this session, the overwhelming majority of which are anti-vaccine. So far three of these bills have failed and one has been voluntarily withdrawn. The regular legislative session will continue until June 3.

LFV was honored to be acknowledged by Representative Pat Moore from the House Floor. In addition, a local reporter interviewed the founder and director of LFV, advocate, pediatrician, and board member Dr. Mikki Bouquet and at least two other advocates. These interviews resulted in three different news stories that ran that evening, including this story which was also posted online.

Mississippi

Mississippi Association of Family Physicians Spring Conference

On Saturday, April 13, the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program participated in the Mississippi Association of Family Physicians Spring Conference in Flowood, Mississippi. Our program, one of 32 exhibitors, shared valuable resources, including Protecting Alana's Possibilities: Starting HPV Vaccination at Age 9 , the Mississippi HPV Data Profile, and the Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet, with more than 75 family physicians, medical students, and residents. Our participation in the conference not only educated providers on areas of opportunity and evidence-based strategies but also paved the way to increase the percentage of adolescents in Mississippi who are up to date on HPV vaccination from 39% to the Healthy People 2030 goal of 80%. This success is a testament to our collective efforts and the impact we can make together.

Mississippi Virtual HPV Annual Summit is on May 7

The Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Mississippi HPV Roundtable, and the American Cancer Society are joining forces to host a one-day HPV Virtual Summit on May 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central Time. This event offers healthcare professionals an opportunity to earn up to 2.0 continuing medical education credits and is open for free registration.

The summit aims to shed light on crucial topics surrounding HPV, with sessions covering an overview of HPV in Mississippi, strategies to tackle HPV vaccination barriers in the state, and insights into initiatives aimed at increasing HPV vaccination rates across the state.

Don't miss this chance to engage with experts, share experiences, and contribute to efforts aimed at combating HPV-related challenges in Mississippi.

Tennessee

Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee

The Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable reviewed completion rates for Shelby County Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers at the end of 2023, finding that 14 local VFC providers had achieved HPV vaccination completion rates of 60% or higher, indicating consistent increases quarter by quarter. This mirrors broader trends within Shelby County, where HPV vaccination rates have shown steady improvement over the past five years. They finally exceeded the state average in late 2022 and continued to climb throughout 2023, reaching a peak of 39.2%, compared to the state average of 36.5%, a tremendous success for those working to improve HPV vaccination rates within Shelby County. You can view the Tennessee Teen Coverage Rate Dashboard here.

Comprehensive Cancer Control NP Cancer Conversations

The CCCNP is hosting a one-hour learning session on Partnerships and Cervical Cancer Elimination on May 21, 2024 (4-5 PM EST) The CCCNP Cancer Conversation Zoom Meeting will take place here.

Guest speakers include:

Isabel C. Scarinci, Ph.D., M.P.H. Professor, Vice-Chair for Global and Rural Women’s Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Senior Advisor for Globalization and Cancer, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center University of Alabama at Birmingham,
Nancy Wright, M.P.H. Director, Cancer Prevention and Control Division Alabama Department of Public Health
Julia Brown, MPH Program Manager, HPV Cancer Prevention Program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Tonya J Gandy, B.H.A. Director, Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Alabama Department of Public Health.

“My mom has always told me not to discount myself. She says, “Knock on every door because the one you don’t knock on is the one that might have opened.” - Julia Brown, program manager

“She taught me the importance of being authentic and standing up for what I believe in. Her wisdom has guided me through many challenges, reminding me that staying true to who I am is the key to happiness and fulfillment.” – Cristóbal Valdebenito, program coordinator

“My mom is an avid word traveler and passionate linguist; she speaks six languages and two of them are self-taught. She instilled in me an appreciation for diverse cultures and languages, and with it a commitment to being a lifelong learner.” – Kasia Mitchell, program coordinator

“My mother has always emphasized to me to never give up.” – Portia Knowlton, program coordinator

“What God has for you, it's for you.” – Karlisa Cryer, medical content writer

“Never settle for anything. “– Ursula Leflore, administrative specialist

“The importance of being patient.” – Duha Magzoub, program coordinator

“My mom always tells me to “shine” because you never know who’s watching and what opportunities may present themselves “- Akeria Taylor, program coordinator

“You’ll always have a place to call home with clean sheets on the bed”- Randi Harris, medical content writer

“Always be kind, humble, and follow my passion with complete dedication.” - Pragya Gautam Poudel, postdoctoral fellow

“My mom always told me that I could be anything I wanted to be if I only believed I could.” – Andrea Stubbs, administrative director

“My mom has always encouraged me to be kind first. No matter the situation or circumstance, be kind first. “– Dr. Heather Brandt, director