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
Every Day is a Blessing

A Quick Overview of Cervical Cancer

What is it? What causes it?
There are two types of cervical cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. 
Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the thin, flat cells that line the cervix. 
Adenocarcinoma begins in cervical cells that make mucus and other fluids. The cervix is the end of the uterus and leads from the uterus to the vagina.  

There are certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause almost all cases of cervical cancer. Two HPV types, 16 and 18, are responsible for about 70 percent of all cases

How many women will be diagnosed?
There will be an estimated 12,900 women diagnosed with cervical cancer in the US in 2015. Cervical cancer will take the lives of an estimated 4,100 women in 2015.  The five year survival rate for cervical cancer is 67.8%. In 2012 there were an estimated 249,512 womenin the US living with cervical cancer.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Vaginal bleeding (including bleeding after sexual intercourse)

Unusual vaginal discharge. 

Pelvic pain

Pain during sexual intercourse.

Is there a screening test for cervical cancer ? 
 Regular screening of women between the ages of 21 and 65 years is done using the Pap Test. (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=45978&version=Patient&language=English)

If the Pap test is positive and HPV test may be recommended. 

What are the risk factors? 
Though not all women who have the HPV infection will develop cervical cancer , HPV is the major cause of cervical cancer. Other risks include: 

• Giving birth to many children.
• Having many sexual partners.
• Having first sexual intercourse at a young age.
• Smoking cigarettes.
• Using oral contraceptives ("the Pill").

Is there a way to prevent cervical cancers?
Yes vaccines developed to prevent HPV infections can prevent cervical cancer. "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three vaccines to prevent HPV infection: Gardasil®, Gardasil® 9, and Cervarix®. These vaccines provide strong protection against new HPV infections, but they are not effective at treating established HPV infections. "(NCI)

What treatments are given to women diagnosed with cervical cancer? 
Women may be treated with :
Surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy

For more information please visit:
Foundation for Women's Cancer brochure Understanding Cervical Cancer (http://www.foundationforwomenscancer.org/wp-content/uploads/Understanding-Cervical-Cancer-2013.pdf)

Are you a cervical cancer survivor? Visit the Cervivor website http://cervivor.org/

Dee
Every day is a Blessing!


Sources:
http://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical
http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/cervix.html

Did You Know You Can Prevent Cervical Cancer?

Poster from Women's Cancer Network

This month is Cervical Cancer Screening month in the United States.

Every woman can prevent cervical cancer by:

Getting regular PAP tests

Getting the HPV vaccine

Having the HPV test if recommended by your Physician

Want to learn more about cervical cancer? Please visit Tamika and Friends a national non-profit founded by Tamika Felder. I met Tamika in 2006. She is a cervical cancer survivor and a dynamic advocate who is raising awareness of cervical cancer and the link between the Human Papilloma virus and cervical cancer. Thanks Tamika for all that you do.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing !