2018 Annual Retreat on Cancer Research in NJ - Public Forum focus on HPV Cancers

Yesterday,  I attended this year's Annual Retreat on Cancer Research in NJ. I usually attend the Public Forum only but this year I registered for the entire day. This gave me the opportunity to network with more researchers during the poster sessions  listen to the keynote given by Dr Doug Lowy (Deputy Director of the NCI) and listen to my gynecologic oncologist present research on precision medicine and disparities in Latino populations.

Here are some highlights of what I found most interesting:

Public Forum

Preventing HPV Related Cancers: Advances and Challenges

Welcome and Overview - Dr Epstein

• Cervical Cancer is a worldwide problem.
• In Australia , they have an 83% vaccination rate of young girls which has lead to a decrease in cervical cancer diagnosis. 
• In the UK , all 12 year old girls get vaccinated in school. 
• In the US, only 40% of the girls eligible to be vaccinated are. National Goal is 80%. 
• "HPV should be considered a routine vaccination." 

HPV Related Cancers in Sexual Minority Men: Missed Opportunities for Prevention - Drs Halkitis and Kapadia

• Sexual minority men with HIV are at a higher risk for HPV.
• "Poor people have poor health outcomes." 
• Frank discussions about sexuality are needed.
• In a cohort study for HIV in men they looked at HPV vaccination rates and found vaccination rates for HPV were low. 
• Direct messaging of the signs and symptoms of anal cancer are needed

HPV Vaccinations for the Low Income and Uninsured Populations in New Jersey - Dr Tsui

• There is no mandate in NJ to have young girls and boys receive the HPV vaccination. 
• Only 45% of young girls who get TDAP vaccination get the HPV vaccination. 
• Northern counties of NJ have lower vaccinations rates the the rest of the state. 
• With programs to assist those without insurance to get health care services has led to young girls 11-12  without insurance to have higher rates of HPV vaccination that those with medicaid or insurance. 
• The vaccination requires 2 doses ( 2 visits) and many are not returning for 2nd dose. 

 Keynote

 Preventing HPV Associated Cancer Through Vaccination and Screening - Dr Lowy

• 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers are due to HPV
• The HPV test detects HPV but many women will not need treatment or develop cancer.
• It takes years from HPV infection to develop into cervical cancer. 
• Cervical cancer  develops in women who are HPV + and their  infection does not clear. 
• Costa Rican study showed level of antibody sufficient from single dose of vaccine ( 7 yrs). Trial of 2 vs 1 dose is ongoing now in Costa Rica.
• Poor countries use an ascetic acid screening test.   
• Studies confirm the HPV vaccination is safe. Article reporting dangers of vaccine has been retracted. 

My take away from listening to these HPV focused talks:
We have a foolproof way of preventing cervical cancer - and other HPV cancers ( anal, vaginal, vulvar, throat cancers)
We need to better educate parents on the benefits of the HPV vaccine as a cancer preventer.
We need to better equip pediatricians, PCPs and family physicians with tools to have the conversation regarding the vaccine to insure that young girls and boys are getting vaccinated.


Interested in learning more about HPV ad the vaccine?
Check these resources
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/infectious-agents/hpv/hpv-and-hpv-testing.html

https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/pap-hpv-testing-fact-sheet


Dee
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