News from the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative | June 2021
SUMMIT NEWS
Announcing the 2021 Wisconsin Cancer Summit
We are thrilled to announce the return of the in-person Wisconsin Cancer Summit, Oct. 20-21, 2021.

How can the cancer control community learn from the lessons of the past year to create a healthier and more equitable future? Please join us for networking, knowledge-building, and taking action:

Building Blocks for a Strong Wisconsin
Tools to improve health and cancer outcomes in our communities

Oct. 20, 2021 | Half-day pre-Summit
Oct. 21, 2021 | Full-day Summit

Edgewater Hotel, Madison, WI

In-person and virtual attendance options will be available.

We are closely monitoring COVID-19 data and recommended precautions to ensure the utmost safety of this event. Please note that future circumstances may require this event to move to an all-virtual platform.

Agenda and registration details coming soon.
CANCER SCREENING
Colorectal screening should begin at age 45
Colorectal cancer screening for average-risk patients should begin at age 45 instead of 50, according to new guidelines released last month from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). 
 
This substantial change is based on data that colorectal cancer has been increasing among younger age groups, as well as modeling that shows a reduction in cancer deaths by starting routine screening five years earlier.  
 
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among women and men in Wisconsin, and the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in the US.  
 
The USPSTF proposed the change last October and announced final guidance in May. The new recommendation applies to average-risk adults ages 45-49, and includes a menu of screening tests such as colonoscopies and stool-based tests. Guidelines for adults ages 50 and older haven’t changed. 
 
While other groups such as the American Cancer Society have previously recommended lowering the screening age to 45, the USPSTF change is particularly notable, as federal law requires that health insurers cover USPSTF-recommended services. 
 
As a result, the new recommendation is expected to expand access to much-needed screening services, particularly among Black and American Indian populations that experience higher colorectal cancer rates. 
 
Bottom line, you can help spread the word. Adults ages 45 years or older should talk with their doctors about when to get screened for colorectal cancer, and what type of screening test may be right for them.  
Related Resources:
CANCER SURIVORSHIP
Tools to enhance your survivorship work
More people in Wisconsin are surviving cancer. June is National Cancer Survivorship Awareness Month. Use these tools to learn more:

A curated list of tools to help primary care providers, cancer centers, and community partners improve and/or expand cancer survivorship efforts.
From the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative
 
Social media messages to use in June and throughout the year to raise awareness about cancer survivors and the issues that matter most to them.
From GW Cancer Center
 
Hear the results from the largest-ever national survey of LGBTQ+ cancer survivors. Join the Zoom launch event on June 30, 2021, 4 pm central time.
From the National LGBT Cancer Network
 
Strategies and action steps designed to make sure your survivorship work aligns with evidence-based practices and areas of greatest need.
From the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative
RESEARCH NEWS
Highlights from the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting
Experts in cancer research, treatment, and patient care from around the nation gathered virtually June 4-8 for ASCO's 2021 National Meeting.

The program contained numerous groundbreaking studies, including:

  • 80% of female oncologists experience sexual harassment at work from co-workers and superiors, as well as from patients and families. This affects burnout, satisfaction, and turnover. Learn more

  • Lutetium-177–PSMA-617 represents a new treatment for prostate cancer. Learn more

  • In cases of advanced cervical cancers already treated with chemotherapy and radiation, less treatment may be better than more. Learn more

  • A new treatment is available for KRAS G12C mutated advanced lung cancer, which previously was considered “undruggable”. Other tumor types also have KRAS G12C mutations and may benefit from this treatment, as well. Learn more

  • Several presentations addressed the need to improve disparate patient outcomes, as well as clinical trial and workplace diversity. These represented the meeting's overall theme set forth by ASCO President Dr. Lori Pierce. Learn more
HPV VACCINE
Two events highlight HPV vaccine promotion, successes, and challenges
Adolescent vaccination rates have experienced notable declines over the past year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two events offer the chance to learn how we can get HPV vaccination back on track.
2021 National Meeting of the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable

June 9, 12-2:20 pm
June 10, 11 am-1:50 pm
times listed in Central Time

Explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HPV vaccination, chart a path towards health equity in HPV vaccination, and understand the impacts of key determinants on adolescent vaccination rates.

Learn valuable lessons from experts in overcoming real challenges to increase adolescent vaccination.

Register for one or both days.

Members-only sessions will follow the public sessions listed above.
Webinar: All About Adolescent Vaccinations

The latest information on COVID-19, HPV, and adolescent immunization

June 10, 10-11 am

Adolescent immunizations have declined during the pandemic. How can we reverse this trend, now that many communities and schools are opening back up? Our June webinar shares the latest news about getting kids vaccinated against HPV and COVID-19. Hosted by the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative.

Presented by Dr. James Conway, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health.
COVID-19 and Cancer News
Pfizer's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was shown to be safe among Israeli cancer patients receiving a type of immunotherapy, but immunotherapy patients did have more side effects.

A new tool may predict which patients with cancer and COVID-19 require hospital admission and are likely to have a severe disease response.

False positive lymphadenopathy in multiple types of imaging has been found after COVID-19 vaccination, mimicking metastasis in oncologic patients.

Pre-COVID data shows sub-optimal rates of cancer screening and detection in the United States.
Member Events
June 9-10
National HPV Vaccination Roundtable, National Meeting
Hosted by the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable
June 10
Webinar: All About Adolescent Vaccinations
Hosted by the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative
June 30
Surviving Cancer with Pride: Out Survey Launch Event
Hosted by the National LGBT Cancer Network
October 20-21
2021 Wisconsin Cancer Summit
Hosted by the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative
October 22
UW Fall Cancer Conference
Hosted by UW Madison Carbone Cancer Center
Want to add an event to our Member Events Calendar?