A Note from the Executive Director

 

Dear Friends,

 

It is hard to believe that we are almost through February. In recognition of Black History Month we have been focusing a lot of our awareness campaign on health disparities. While recent surveys show that HPV vaccination completion among Black adolescents is higher than their white counterparts, Black men and women still have higher mortality rates for HPV-associated cancers. These disparities exist every month and while February is also National Cancer Prevention Month, we are reminded just how important it is to get the message out that the safe, long-lasting, and effective HPV vaccine works to prevent 6 different cancers year after year.

 

The newest group of practices participating in our training program is off to a good start. We have expanded to six new counties and are still recruiting new practices to join this round. As we have called on practices to participate, it has been evident that COVID-19 has taken its toll on pediatric providers throughout the last surge. Many groups have not had the capacity to participate so we are extra appreciative of those practices who have joined this round.

 

The reality is that focusing on HPV vaccination is even more important now given what we have seen about missed doses of routine vaccines and the increases in vaccine hesitancy due in no small part to online disinformation campaigns. For that reason, we are looking forward to International HPV Awareness Day on March 4th. As an official partner organization of the IHAD campaign spearheaded by the International Papillomavirus Society, we will be promoting the 2022 campaign- One Less Worry- as part of our efforts to combat misinformation online. Get a sneak peek of the campaign here. Be sure you are following our social media accounts so that you can help spread the word.

 

Please make plans to join us for our re-scheduled first annual "A Shot at Prevention" luncheon on April 7, 2022. You can find more details, including sponsorship opportunities below. 

 

As always, thank you for your continued support. We cannot do it without you!

 

With Gratitude,

 

Barbara Schuler

Founder/Executive Director

 

P.S. If you're new to our mailing list and have missed prior editions of our newsletter you can now find them on our website.

 

 

Board Member Spotlight

Warner K. Huh, MD, 

VAX 2 STOP CANCER Member-at-Large

 

Warner K. Huh, MD is Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and holds the Margaret Cameron Spain Endowed Chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is also Professor in the Department of Surgery and Professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the UAB School of Public Health. His research interests include screening and prevention of HPV related diseases as well as novel immunotherapeutic approaches for pre-invasive disease of the cervix as well as cervical cancer. He has authored or co-authored over 265 articles in journals including The New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, Lancet Oncology, Journal of the National Cancer Institute Cancer, Clinical Cancer Research, Gynecologic Oncology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (h-index: 55). He serves as co-PI of the Johns Hopkins-UAB-University of Colorado Cervical Cancer Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) program (2P50CA098252-06A1). Dr. Huh serves on the editorial boards of Gynecologic Oncology and The Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease (Associate Editor). He recently served as President of the ASCCP. He is on the steering committee for the ASCCP treatment guidelines and was co-chair of the ASCCP colposcopy standards effort. Dr. Huh has also served on the Board of Directors for the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) and is Past President of the SGO.

Why did you join the board?

To further increase awareness and education on the public on the importance of HPV vaccination.

 

What does the mission of VAX 2 STOP CANCER mean to you?

Taking active steps to education and increase awareness.

 

What is the most rewarding part of being involved with V2SC?

The people.

 

What do you want the public to know about V2SC?

For my children and grandchildren, cervical cancer can be a thing of the past. What we have to do is educate physicians, providers, and parents on how the vaccine is truly a genuine cancer prevention strategy. This is why the work and mission of V2SC is so critically important: to fill the gaps with much needed, accurate, and timely education and awareness.

 

Spotlight Event

 

You can hear Dr. Huh speak about HPV-associated cancer research on April 7th at the VAX 2 STOP CANCER Spotlight Event Luncheon "A Shot at Prevention" at The Club. In addition hear from Tracie Richter, a cervical cancer survivor, and get an update from Barbara Schuler about the progress being made in Alabama. Tickets go on sale March 1st on our website. If you are interested in sponsoring the event you can view the sponsorship brochure and contact Barbara Schuler. 

 

Did You Know?

In recognition of Black History Month, we are highlighting the way that the cervical cells of one woman, Henrietta Lacks, changed the face of medicine forever. The WHO posthumously awarded her the Director-General's award in October of 2021, the 70th anniversary of her death from cervical cancer. Learn more about her "He La cells" and their profound impact, not only on the development of the HPV vaccine, but on the entire field of medicine here and in the video below.

Video source Johns Hopkins Medicine

 

 

HPV Fact

According to the American Cancer Society, the HPV vaccine currently used in the US protects against 9 HPV types and has the potential to prevent 90% of HPV cancers.