US vs. HPV Week – 2021 marked the 3rd year that AHNS has participated in this multidisciplinary event, hosted annually by the American Medical Women’s Association, the Global Initiative Against HPV & Cervical Cancer, and the Indiana University National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health. The week – January 25-28, 2021 – provided great exposure on topics such as HPV-related diseases, the impact on patients and families, and the importance of HPV Vaccination.
The Thursday presentation was led by AHNS-member Dr. Cecelia Schmalbach; the webinar was titled “HPV-Oropharyngeal Cancers: Give it a Shot.” Her presentation and the head & neck webinars from the previous two years can be accessed clicking the link below:
Us vs HPV Head and Neck Series
Additional supporting materials for the 2021 week can be accessed below:
- Position Statement on HPV Vaccination for Prevention of HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer
- Patient HPV Fact Sheet
- Practitioner HPV Fact Sheet
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Recipients of the 2021 Community Service Awards
We are very pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 AHNS Cancer Prevention Service’s Community Service Awards – each year AHNS five $1000 awards to individuals, departments, organizations, or institutions in support of a patient or community-oriented project held in conjunction with the annual Oral Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Week taking place annually in April. This year’s recipients are:
- Jacob Bloom, Boston, MA – Understanding and Overcoming Barriers to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination
- Jennifer Li, Fairway, KS – Virtual Head and Neck Cancer education program for primary care providers in rural Kansas
- Kourosh Parham, Farmington, CT – Building A Virtual Coalition to Address the Vaping Epidemic: An Emerging Oral Cancer Risk Factor
- Nandini Vallath, Mumbai, India – Impact cancer burden: Health communication intervention at community level
- Daniel Vinh, Houston, TX – Outreach and creation of a head and neck cancer screening pathway to primary care clinics throughout Harris County.
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The FDA expands ages for HPV vaccination in men and women: New opportunities for cancer prevention
The Food and Drug Administration recently expanded the age for vaccination of boys and girls to now include 27 to 45 year olds. The Gardasil 9 vaccine covers the HPV types that cause over 90% of human cancers, including HPV 16, which is responsible for over 90% of HPV-related oropharyngeal tumors. This is an important opportunity for disease prevention since the incidence of HPV related throat cancer has increased over 200% in the last three decades, now making it the most common HPV-related cancer in the United States. The goal of expanding vaccination into this later age group is that it may serve to reduce persistent high risk HPV infections that could result in the development of cancer. It is indicated in boys and girls, ages 9 to 45 years, and is given
as a two shot (if started before age 15) or three shot series. While official endorsement for vaccination after age 26 is still pending, this in no way should impact the strong recommendation of HPV vaccination to all boys and girls prior to the onset of sexual activity. Members of the American Head and Neck Society are encouraged to discuss HPV vaccination with their patients, especially when they or their family members fall in this recommended window for vaccination.
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AHNS and the American Cancer Society CDC HPV Steering Committee
October 1, 2018 – Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan, the AHNS President Elect and past Chair for the Cancer Prevention Service, has been elected to serve on the Steering Committee of the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the American Cancer Society. This multidisciplinary group has representatives from over 65 member organizations and includes physicians, health policy makers, pharmacists, allied health providers, and survivors. It’s goal is to develop and impart a strategic plan to raise awareness of HPV-related disease and increase uptake of available HPV Vaccines. The Cancer Prevention Service has been active in these initiatives and welcomes the participation of all AHNS members. The current chair of the Prevention Service, Dr. Mike Moore, is also on the Task Force of the HPV Vaccination Roundtable. For more information on how to get involved, please contact the AHNS Administrative Office.
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SLIDE DECK: HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer:
What you need to know about diagnosis, treatment and management
This slide deck is designed to help Head & Neck surgeons better educate pediatricians and other primary care providers about HPV and Head & Neck Cancer, explaining oropharyngeal cancer basics (including the link with HPV) and promoting the vaccine.
