News from the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative | August 2021
Your membership keeps us strong.
Thank you!
Summer is a busy time -- particularly this summer, as COVID-19 continues to affect our work, our families, and our communities.

Because of this, we have extended the deadline to renew your membership with the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative.

If you have not yet renewed your membership, you still have a bit of time. You can find instructions here (or email us with questions).

To all our members who have already renewed -- thank you! Our dedicated membership is our greatest strength. We are honored to connect you with the resources and support that can help you improve the health of your communities.

Thank you for being an important part of our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for everyone in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Cancer Summit is going virtual
The 2021 Wisconsin Cancer Summit will no longer be held in-person, and instead will be hosted as an all-virtual event.

We are making this important change to protect the health and safety of Summit participants and the communities we all serve, as COVID-19 cases are rising and people with cancer can be at risk of severe infection.

We hope you can join us virtually!

2021 VIRTUAL WISCONSIN CANCER SUMMIT

"Building Blocks for a Strong Wisconsin"

Oct. 20-21, 2021

Together, we will explore how the cancer control community can learn from the lessons of the past year to create a healthier and more equitable future.

Updated agenda and registration announcement coming soon.
New report shows pre-pandemic declines in deaths for most common cancers
Overall cancer death rates declined from 2014-2018, according to the National Cancer Institute's recently released Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer.

The report looks at long-term trends and data regarding new cancer cases (incidence) and cancer deaths (mortality) across the United States. Key findings include:

  • On average, cancer death rates decreased 2.2% per year among males and 1.7% per year among females.
  • Cancer death rates decreased an average of 0.9% per year among adolescents and young adults, and an average of 1.4% per year among children.
  • Overall cancer incidence rates are leveling off among males after earlier declines and increasing slightly among females and adolescents and young adults.
  • Increased mortality was found in five cancer types among women and six cancer types among men. (See the graphic for details. Click on the graphic to view a larger version in your web browser.)
  • The overall downward trends in cancer deaths reflect population changes in cancer risk factors, increases in cancer screenings (before the COVID-19 pandemic), and changes in diagnostic practices.
  • The most common cancer types among children were leukemia, brain and other nervous system cancers, and lymphoma. All of these cancers showed increases in incidence rates between 2001-2017.
Cancer screenings are still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels
Cancer screenings dropped significantly last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they haven't caught up.

This is according to a new abstract from Epic Health Research Network (EHRN). In May 2020, according to EHRN, breast cancer screenings and cervical cancer screenings had decreased by 94% from pre-pandemic levels, and colorectal cancer screenings had declined by 86%.

In response, many health systems and public health organizations have worked hard to encourage people to return to screenings. While progress has been made, EHRN's latest abstract shows that cancer screenings are still lower than they were before the pandemic.

For example, in March 2021, breast cancer screenings were 13% lower than pre-pandemic levels, cervical cancer screenings were 21% lower, and colorectal cancer screenings were 25% lower.

These statistics represent an estimated 382,000 missed breast cancer screenings, 94,000 missed cervical cancer screenings, and 249,000 missed colon cancer screenings between March 2020 and March 2021.

In Wisconsin, we can help encourage more people in our communities to go back to the doctor and resume cancer screenings. Our cancer screening resources can help patients understand which cancer screenings are right for them and answer questions about costs and insurance coverage. You can download and share our cancer screening social media graphics to raise awareness about the importance of cancer screenings during COVID-19.
COVID-19 and Cancer News
People in active treatment for cancer can be at greater risk of severe infection from COVID-19.

We keep track of articles and studies that can inform your work related to COVID-19, vaccine promotion, and the effects on patients with cancer. See below for a few recent highlights:
  • Native communities have been among those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now American Indians and Native Alaskans are getting vaccinated at the highest rates in the country.

SARS-CoV-2 variants in patients with immunosuppression (The New England Journal of Medicine)
  • This article discusses how emerging variants of the coronavirus may affect people with suppressed immune systems, such as patients with cancer.

  • LLS recently released the findings from the largest study to date of blood cancer patients and the COVID-19 vaccine and antibody response.

  • Patients with multiple myeloma mounted suboptimal and variable antibody responses to the messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccines.

  • Black patients experienced a disproportionate lower rate of prostate cancer surgeries compared to white men after the pandemic began.

  • New research, using real-world data from two Midwest hospital systems, shows patients with cancer are more likely to have severe COVID-19-related complications and are more likely not to survive. The study finds a higher risk of COVID-19 complications and death based on the severity of cancer, race, age, and socioeconomic status.

State Cancer Registries Study COVID-19 in Patients and Survivors (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • Learn how two state cancer registries were able to match data for people who have cancer with data for people testing positive for COVID-19. Their findings can help us better understand how COVID-19 is affecting people with cancer, and can help us address the needs of people with cancer both during and after the pandemic.
Upcoming Webinars
Our webinars are always free and open to members, community partners, and the public.

Register today, share with others, and learn more on our Webinar page.
AUGUST
The financial toxicity of cancer: Causes, effects, and potential solutions
Presented by Dr. Fumiko Chino
Radiation Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Cancer is one of the most expensive medical conditions a person can experience. From the time of diagnosis through end of life, cancer can create severe financial distress for patients and their loved ones. This financial distress can take a toll on physical and psychological well-being, and it can negatively affect patient outcomes.

Learn more about what contributes to financial toxicity; how it impacts patients, survivors, and families; and how we might reverse this troubling phenomenon.
TODAY!
August 12, 2021
10 - 11 am
SEPTEMBER
Share the Care: Cancer issues in Wisconsin's Native communities
Presented by Carol Cameron
Program Manager, Wisconsin Inter-Tribal Pink Shawl Initiative

Since 2003, Share the Care has helped to reduce the cancer burden among Wisconsin's American Indian population by raising awareness, promoting cancer screening, and supporting survivors and caregivers.

Join our September webinar to deepen your understanding of the cancer issues affecting Wisconsin's Native communities. Learn more about the pressing need to address cancer disparities in the American Indian community, efforts to increase cancer screening rates, and how you can get involved in Share the Care's work.
September 9, 2021
10 - 11:30 am
Please note, this webinar will be 90 minutes long.
View past webinar slides and recordings on our Webinar page.
Member Resources
Wisconsin Immunization Rates Dashboard
This data dashboard from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services shares helpful information about vaccination rates across Wisconsin (not including COVID-19 or influenza vaccines).

  • Fewer people received their routine vaccines in 2020 compared to 2015-2019.
  • Of all age groups, children aged 5-6 years had the steepest decline in routine vaccinations.
  • It will take many months to help everyone catch up on the vaccinations they missed.
  • The longer people wait to get vaccinated, the more they are at risk for getting sick from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Health Equity: What did we learn from COVID-19, and what is next?
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted long-standing social and economic inequities facing communities of color and the impact these challenges have on health outcomes. This infographic from the NIHCM Foundation explores the lessons learned during 2020 and outlines key solutions to address the issues harming the health of Native American, Black and Hispanic communities. Also available in Spanish.

Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index
This tool from the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health can help you identify, map, and plan support for communities at greatest risk of adverse outcomes from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Literacy Tools: Why we don't dig "detect"
The latest post from Communicate Heath explains why jargon words like "detect" can reduce the impact of your health communications, and suggests helpful alternatives.

Upcoming Events
WEBINAR
Therapeutic Options to Prevent Severe COVID-19 in Immunocompromised People
Hosted by the CDC's Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued Emergency Use Authorizations for monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 for certain patients. Monoclonal antibodies may be available through expanded access programs to treat COVID-19 for immunocompromised patients. However, the efficacy of use for immunocompromised patients is unclear.

During this COCA Call, presenters will discuss the FDA’s role in issuing EUAs for certain monoclonal antibodies, options for compassionate use, the process for ordering and distributing monoclonal antibodies, and current data on using monoclonal antibodies for both non-hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. Presenters will also cover preventing, diagnosing, and treating COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients, including the role of monoclonal antibodies, serologic testing, and potential third dose of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Aug. 12
1-2 pm
WEBINAR
Role of the Primary Care Provider and Nurse Navigator in Lung Cancer Screening
Hosted by the National Lung Cancer Roundtable
This webinar will address:
  • Lung cancer screening as a vehicle to save lives and advance better health for eligible individuals
  • Assessing eligibility for screening
  • Conducting quality SDM and tobacco cessation Counseling in brief clinical encounters: best practices
  • Updated AAFP Recommendations
  • Lung cancer and the primary care provider CME (LuCa)
Aug. 25, 2021
11 am-12 pm
WEBINAR
NCCN Pharmacy Updates: Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer
Hosted by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Palliative care is an important part of the care of patients with cancer. Pharmacologic interventions for symptom management play an integral role in palliative care. Pharmacists can play a critical role in patient education, therapy recommendations, and therapy management in palliative care and should be familiar with appropriate pharmacologic interventions for symptom management.
Aug. 27, 2021
2-3 pm
Reducing the burden of cancer
for everyone.