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Featured 2024 Event: Preventing Cancer - Healthy Girls, Healthy Women
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In June, HPV Cancers Alliance spearheaded a groundbreaking cancer prevention program in Washington, D.C. called Healthy Girls, Healthy Women. This initiative aimed to raise awareness in Congress about the profound impact of HPV infection, opportunities for prevention, early detection of HPV-related cancers, treatment options, and the challenges of survivorship. We also underscored the importance of primary cancer prevention knowledge for young girls, in collaboration with their mothers and caregivers.
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Eight passionate young advocates and their mothers or caregivers participated in a full day of immersive HPV education, cancer prevention strategies, and legislative training.
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Help Us Prevent HPV-Related Cancers – Your Support Makes a Direct Impact!
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Your donation can help us provide crucial resources and programs that make a difference, like:
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- $25: Helps distribute vital HPV prevention and early cancer detection materials at PRIDE events, expanding health education within the LGBTQIA+ community.
- $50: Provides a compassionate phone consultation for individuals newly diagnosed with HPV-related cancer, connecting them with an HPV cancer survivor who can offer guidance on their next steps in cancer care.
- $100: Enables an advocate to meet with their legislator and support the advancement of the Prevent HPV Cancers Act, promoting better healthcare policy.
- $250: Funds prevention and awareness training for advocates, enabling them to launch HPV and cancer prevention campaigns in their own communities.
- $500: Allows 20 participants to attend a session in our Emerging Science Webinar Series, gaining insights into the latest innovations in HPV cancer care—free of charge.
- $1,000: Supports the training of 20 healthcare providers, helping to reduce the stigma around HPV through education and awareness.
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Your generosity fuels our efforts to reach more people, save lives, and create a future where HPV-related cancers are a thing of the past.
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INTERVIEW WITH DAVA KLIRSFELD MD
Doctor of Infectious Diseases
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We interviewed Dr. Dava Klirsfeld, a distinguished infectious disease specialist with over 40 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Klirsfeld has been at the forefront of treating patients with HIV/AIDS, particularly during the peak of the epidemic. Today, she continues her dedicated work as an internist in East Hills, New York, and is affiliated with several leading hospitals, including St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center and St. Catherine of Siena Hospital. Her expertise and compassionate care have made her a respected figure in infectious disease and internal medicine.
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KEY TAKE AWAYS
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- Dr. Klirsfeld emphasized how important it is to increase vaccination rates for both boys and girls as well as older adults."“This is the only vaccine we have that can literally prevent cancer, and people don’t realize how serious these cancers can be. Men and boys especially need the vaccine because people don’t associate these cancers in men with HPV. "
- "Older people are not paying attention to safe sex because pregnancy is no longer a concern; some individuals may not live long enough to develop to cancer, but many will ."
- Stress increases the chances of having an HPV infection.“We really don’t know how stress affects us, and although it’s not as measurable, we do know that cortisone is a immunosuppressant, and when you have high levels of it in your body, it puts you more at risk”.
- Because there is no clear medical ownership of HPV, no particular speciality is responsible for creating clear guidelines regarding HPV.
- Read the interview here
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Research and Medical News
New Clinical Guidelines Recommend Screening People with HIV for Anal Cancer
A panel of HIV experts has issued guidelines recommending that adults with HIV be assessed at least once per year for anal abnormalities (such as pain, burning, or masses) and undergo digital anorectal examination (DARE). Older people should undergo additional lab-based screening with subsequent HRA, rather than standard anoscopy. More details can be found here.
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Roche Expands Access to Cervical Cancer Screening Tools with HPV Self-Collection Kits
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Roche's self-sampling HPV tests will likely greatly expand cancer screenings!
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Newly Approved Self-sampling HPV Tests Could Significantly Increase the Number of Women Tested for HPV
A study conducted at Kings College London found that these do-it-yourself human papillomavirus (HPV) tests could enable more than a million more women in England to participate in cervical screening over the next three years. The FDA recently approved these kits, so there is good news on this front in the United States as well.
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Incyte’s Retifanlimab (Zynyz®) Extends Progression-Free Survival in Patients with Squamous Cell Anal Carcinoma
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The POD1UM-303/InterAACT2 trial results build on previously announced topline results, showing that the study met its primary endpoint by demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival in patients with SCAC not previously treated with systemic therapy, as assessed by blinded independent central review. Adding retifanlimab to standard of care chemotherapy resulted in a clinically meaningful 37% reduction in the risk of progression or death.
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European Cancer Manifesto - HPV Goal
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The European Cancer Manifesto aims to turn up the dial on eliminating HPV associated cancers. They note that men are more likely than women to have high-risk (cancer-causing) HPV infections.
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Nearly one in three men worldwide is infected with at least one genital HPV type, and around one in five men are infected with one or more high-risk HPV types. Infection rates are higher in men who have sex with men.
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They want to increase vaccination rates. Only seven European countries have achieved over 80% uptake of girls receiving all HPV vaccine doses, while several others have coverage rates below 50%.
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Five EU Member States have not yet included boys in their national immunization programs for HPV vaccination.
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Their EU-Level recommendations include EU guidelines for population-level cervical cancer screening and the encouragement of self-sampling screening options.
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They also emphasize that anal cancer screening is crucial for people with HIV, who are at a higher risk of anal cancer.
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President Biden Rolls Out Global Cancer Moonshot Effort, Targeting Cervical Cancer
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In a joint meeting and dinner with the leaders of Australia, Japan and India, President Biden said, "I’m proud to announce that our four countries, the leaders behind me, and many organizations here today are committing over $150 million for HPV, HPV screening and therapeutics, and next year, doctors and nurses in the US Navy will begin a program to train Indo-Pacific counterparts in conducting cervical cancer screening and vaccination so we could reach every woman in the region and it matters, folks,” Read more here.
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PAST EVENTS
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From Stigma To Strength
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During Pride Month, HPV Cancers Alliance hosted an impactful virtual discussion in collaboration with Ralph Lauren corporate employees. The discussion emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing the unique health challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals, with a focus on breaking down barriers of stigma and empowering participants to lead healthier, more informed lives. Steven Post, VP of Design, Collaboration and Innovation at Calvin Klein initiated and co-hosted the event. Featured speakers included Marcia Cross, Actress - Co-founder, and cancer thriver, Dr. Paul Romesser - Director of Colorectal and Anal Cancer at the Department of Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Lillian Kreppel - Executive Director & Co-Founder of HPVCA and cancer thriver.
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New York City Pride
HPV Cancers Alliance in collaboration with Cheeky Charity and LGBTQ Cancer Network participated in NYC and Harlem pride events with booths focused on educating the community about HPV transmission, vaccination, and related cancers. The booths also highlighted the important intersection between HPV and HIV, offering vital health information to support awareness and prevention within the LGBTQIA+ community.
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EVENTS WE ATTENDED
Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Awareness Day at the RRP Foundation
The RRPF is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness, supporting research, and providing resources for individuals affected by Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis, a rare but serious condition caused by HPV. HPVCA’s participation highlights the importance of bringing attention to RRP and supporting efforts to combat this disease
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Anal Cancer 101 on Gastro Girls Podcast
On Sep 18th, Lillian Kreppel and Marcia Cross were featured on the American College of Gastroenterology’s Podcast, Gastro Girls. Lillian delivered a candid, patient perspective on living with HPV and being an anal cancer survivor.
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American Sexual Health Association Podcast - HPV & Anal Cancer with Cancer Thriver with Lillian Kreppel
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In the podcast Lillian Kreppel shares the insights she has gained navigating her journey from anal cancer patient to passionate patient advocate
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Emerging Science Webinar Series
“Emerging Immunotherapies & Clinical Trials”
November 20th, 6pm EST, Live-streamed on hpvca.org
Join us for our first of four virtual webinars featuring experts from medicine, academia, industry, and patient advocacy! These sessions will explore the latest in HPV prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship, and emerging technologies. Each webinar will include pre-submitted audience questions, and recordings will be available on our website for ongoing education.
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IPVS Society - Lillian Kreppel Will Speak at the IPVS Conference in Edinburgh
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We are thrilled to announce that our Executive Director, Lillian Kreppel, will be presenting at the International Papillomavirus Society conference in Edinburgh, UK this year. Lillian will share her insights on two critical topics: "Tapping into the Power of Lived Experience," exploring the value of personal stories in advancing HPV awareness, and "Communication Competence," focusing on effective strategies for conveying complex health information.
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MISSION PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Cancer Hope Network
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Cancer Hope Network offers personalized one-on-one peer support for cancer patients and caregivers with trained Peer Mentor survivors who have been through their own cancer experience.
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Cancer Hope Network is actively seeking cancer survivors (at least one-year post-treatment), patients with advanced stage disease receiving ongoing maintenance therapies, and caregivers to join their network of Peer Mentor volunteers.
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Operation Wipe Out - St. Jude
Operation Wipe Out is a partnership to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat in Alabama by bringing together the power of Alabama’s public, private, and non-profit sectors to expand access to evidence-based cervical cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.
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INTRODUCING
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Sara Bassiri, MPH
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Sara is HPVCA’s Grant Writer. She has a Master of Public Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health with a concentration in Sociomedical Sciences and a certificate in Sexuality and Sexual and Reproductive Health. She is passionate about improving health outcomes for marginalized communities, destigmatizing sexual and reproductive health, and increasing health literacy on women's preventive health measures.
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Isabella Johnson, MPH
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We are thrilled to introduce Isabella Johnson, the HPV Cancers Alliance new lead Project Coordinator. She has a Master of Public Health degree with a focus on patient education and sexual health promotion. Drawing on her experience in uro-oncology and health equity research, she is dedicated to unifying HPV prevention efforts across medical specialties.
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As the new Project Coordinator, Isabella aims to apply her expertise to innovative HPV education programs, particularly primary prevention for communities disproportionately affected by the virus. She is committed to helping the HPVCA grow and expand its influence, driving meaningful change to end HPV cancers.
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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
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We recently earned a Candid Gold Seal of Transparency!
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Check out our nonprofit profile to keep up to date with our impact. Keep this link (https://www.guidestar.org/profile/84-1950434) handy, we want to make sure you always have the information you need to support our work with trust and confidence.
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Thank You To Our Sponsors
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Our Mission Partners
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We know that an alliance of HPV and HPV-associated cancer organization will amplify the common goal of raising awareness, spreading knowledge, and in the end, saving lives. We support our mission partners by co-sponsoring and supporting their events through cross-promotion and by meeting to discuss strategies that further our shared mission.
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Thank you to our mission partners!
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