News from the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative | April 2022

Hepatitis B is a common liver infection caused by a virus that spreads through bodily fluids. For some people, hepatitis B can be a short-term infection. For others, it can be a long-term illness that leads to life-threatening issues like liver cancer. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is through vaccination.

On March 31, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) announced a new recommendation calling for universal hepatitis B vaccines for all adults ages 19 to 59.

This change represents a huge step in improving access to cancer prevention vaccines, by eliminating the need for risk assessments before vaccination. Moving forward, medical providers should offer hepatitis B vaccination to patients in this age group, instead of relying on patients to request vaccination or disclose sensitive risk factors.

An alarming 73% of cancer patients and survivors are worried about their ability to pay for cancer treatment, according to a new national survey from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

The survey, conducted in February 2022, examines how medical debt impacts cancer patients and survivors. Other key findings include:

Alcohol use and alcohol-related deaths have increased sharply in Wisconsin and across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is worrisome news for cancer control and prevention, as alcohol use is linked to at least seven types of cancer.

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month, with a special focus on alcohol and cancer during the week of April 18-24. We invite you use the following resources to learn more and raise awareness about the alcohol-cancer connection:

Alcohol-related deaths rose almost 25% in Wisconsin in 2020, the biggest one-year increase in more than 20 years. Learn more in this recent report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

Our Alcohol and Cancer program page includes several resources to help you talk about the alcohol-cancer connection with patients, families, and community members. Resources include infographics, FAQs, and media talking points.

The State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse recommends ways to decrease excessive alcohol use in Wisconsin, with specific strategies for communities, health care organizations, government agencies, and others. A WCC member organization, the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project, contributed expertise to this report.

Plus: Do you know someone interested in reducing their alcohol intake? These tips from our "Dry January" article can help.

Our Outreach Team can help you implement strategies to reduce alcohol use and raise awareness about alcohol and cancer. Connect with us to learn more.

To submit an announcement for an upcoming newsletter, please email us!

Congratulations to WCC members Dr. Noelle LoConte and Dr. Kurt Oettel for being recognized as Advocacy Champions by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)!

Advocacy Champions are ASCO volunteers who have made significant impacts by advocating at the state and federal level to ensure that every patient with cancer has access to high-quality, equitable cancer care, no matter who they are or where they live. 

Thank you to Dr. LoConte and Dr. Oettel for your tremendous dedication to the patients and communities of Wisconsin. See the full list of honorees here.

You can help. Please contact Beth Brunner for details regarding which supplies are most needed and how to make a donation.

A grant opportunity from the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board provides training for individuals interested in working in specific health care fields in rural communities. To qualify for the Collaboration of Wisconsin Rural Investment in Community Healthcare (COW RICH) grant program, individuals must intend to work in rural counties after graduation, but do not need to go to school or live in these counties currently. There are no income eligibility requirements.

Learn more about the healthcare fields and counties currently involved in the program.

How healthy is Wisconsin? A new report card from the UW Population Health Institute gives Wisconsin a 'C' grade for the overall health of its residents, and 'D' and 'F' grades in some areas related to health equity. The Report Card also includes recommended policies and practices at the local and state level to advance equity and improve health.

We keep track of reports and resources that can inform your work related to COVID-19 and the effects on patients with cancer. See below for recent highlights:

A new report in JAMA Oncology shows significantly higher rates of breakthrough COVID-19 infection in patients with cancer, especially among patients in active treatment, with data up to November 2021. Read the report

New research published online by Wiley in the journal CANCER addresses US cancer screening deficits during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a joint initiative between the American College of Surgeons Cancer Programs and the American Cancer Society to reach out to patients to return for missed screenings. Read the report

The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened cancer-related health disparities for African American cancer survivors. More than 40% of survivors reported disruption in their access to medical care; reported feeling anxious, depressed, and/or isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic; and reported changes in health behaviors known to negatively affect survivorship outcomes as a result of the pandemic. Efforts to mitigate the long-term negative impact of the pandemic on cancer outcomes is necessary. Read the report | Read the related article  

Find more resources on our COVID-19 and Cancer resource page.

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