News from the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative | May 2021

COVID-19 How to talk to people who are vaccine hesitant

By Alexandria Cull Weatherer, MPH Communities across Wisconsin are eager to resume normal activities after the trauma, stress, loss, isolation, and uncertainty of the pandemic. Luckily, COVID-19 vaccination can help us move forward. We know that getting the COVID-19 vaccine helps protect us and the people around us, especially those who may not be medically able to receive the vaccine. As people who work in cancer prevention and control, we can protect patients, caregivers, and families from COVID-19 by normalizing vaccination. Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy remains high, and vaccine misinformation is rampant. We may not know how to best approach conversations with people who are resistant to getting vaccinated. Below, we've rounded up ten guiding principles that can help: 1. Start from a place of empathy and understanding. Acknowledge that the past year has been enormously hard—and that getting vaccinated is the best way we can resume the activities we miss and love. 2. Remember that people’s reasons for vaccine hesitancy will vary, and there is no one strategy or message that will work for everyone. Reasons may include concerns about side effects, vaccine safety, and/or vaccine development timelines; distrust of public health experts or elected officials; historical, cultural, and/or personal history of medical mistreatment; and perceived low risk from COVID-19. 3. Give your strong recommendation. Most people ages 12 and up should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Medical provider recommendation is the highest indicator for vaccine acceptance. Examples include: “I strongly recommend you get a COVID-19 vaccine….” “This shot is especially important for you because of your [job/underlying health condition…]” “I believe in this vaccine so strongly that I got vaccinated as soon as it was available to me, and I made sure that everyone in my family did the same.” 4. Share your own vaccine experience, and the reasons you decided to get vaccinated. Hearing about someone else’s experience, especially someone you trust and care about, can make it seem less scary, can provide an opening to ask questions, and can help to normalize the vaccine as something we all should get. 5. Be patient. Getting angry, shaming people, or belittling people isn’t effective. 6. Listen, empathize, and answer questions. The COVID-19 vaccines are new, and it’s understandable that some people have questions. You build trust when you show you are willing to listen to their concerns. Offer to share reputable resources, including vaccine endorsements from trusted community champions. 7. Some barriers can be logistical. Offer to help with scheduling their vaccine appointment, providing a ride, or going with them for emotional support. 8. With friends and family, remember that love can be a powerful motivator. For example, establishing an expectation that eligible adults be vaccinated before socializing indoors can help to influence loved ones to get the vaccine. 9. Revisit the conversation in the future. Just because someone is resistant now, it doesn’t mean the conversation needs to end. Continue to remind them about the importance of getting vaccinated, and let them know you’re open to continuing the conversation later. 10. Be aware of your own needs, and take breaks when needed. You may not be able to convince everybody, but you can help many others protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19. Adapted in part from How to talk to your patients about COVID-19 vaccination.

Related Resources:

For Cancer Patients and Cancer Care Providers: Coronavirus Vaccines and People with Cancer: A Q&A with Dr. Steven Pergam National Comprehensive Cancer Network COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations Safety and Immunogenicity of One versus Two Doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2 for Patients with Cancer: Interim Analysis of a Prospective Observational Study For Medical Providers: Answering Patients’ Questions About COVID-19 Vaccine and Vaccination How to Talk to Your Patients about COVID-19 Vaccination How to Build Healthcare Personnel's Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines Rural Communities Toolkit For the General Public: How to Talk about COVID-19 Vaccines with Friends and Family Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: 12 Things You Need to Know

TOBACCO PREVENTION FDA moves closer to banning menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars

By Amy Johnson, JD The federal Food and Drug Administration announced late last month that it will begin the rule-making process to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. The FDA plans to issue proposed rules on a ban within a year; however, it could be at least two years before a ban would take effect, given the lengthy process of public comment and agency response. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 prohibited the use of flavors in cigarettes and cigarette smoke, but left in place the sale of menthol flavored cigarettes. Instead, the FDA was granted authority to prohibit menthol if “appropriate for public health.” In 2013 public health groups filed a Citizen’s Petition urging the FDA to use its powers to prohibit menthol in cigarettes. The FDA did not respond to the petition, and the groups filed a federal lawsuit to compel the FDA to take action on menthol. That lawsuit eventually prompted the agency’s April 29th announcement. “Banning menthol—the last allowable flavor—in cigarettes and banning all flavors in cigars will help save lives, particularly among those disproportionately affected by these deadly products,” said acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “With these actions, the FDA will help significantly reduce youth initiation, increase the chances of smoking cessation among current smokers, and address health disparities experienced by communities of color, low-income populations, and LGBTQ+ individuals, all of whom are far more likely to use these tobacco products.” Decreasing tobacco use and exposure to tobacco products is a priority of the Wisconsin Cancer Plan 2020-2030. According to the FDA, banning menthol cigarettes would lead an additional 923,000 smokers to quit, including 230,000 African Americans, in the first 13 to 17 months after a ban goes into effect.

Related Resources:

Lung Cancer How-To-Sheet: English | Spanish Lung Cancer Infographic: English | Spanish Issue Brief: Medical Marijuana in Wisconsin: A Cancer Perspective Webinar Recording: E-cigarettes and Tobacco in Wisconsin

CANCER RISK REDUCTION Preventing skin cancer during COVID-19

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, many people are spending more time outdoors. This makes sun safety even more important, as increased sun exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer. (For example, one bad sunburn during childhood can double the risk of melanoma later in life!) Before the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of melanoma were already on the rise, and this concerning trend is expected to continue. We can help reduce the risk of skin cancer by educating our communities about sun safety and early detection. Our May webinar explored skin cancer prevention, detection, and advances in treatment, and highlighted an inspiring example of community-based skin cancer prevention efforts during COVID-19. Presented by Dr. Gloria Xu, lead dermatologic surgeon in the treatment of thin melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers; Dr. Mark Albertini, nationally known melanoma researcher who has led treatment efforts for patients with metastatic melanoma at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center; and Sheri Scott, MPH, a community-based public health and evaluation consultant and board member of Greater Richland Area Cancer Elimination (GRACE).

Webinar Recap:

Presenter slides | Webinar recording | Sun safety social media graphics

STAFFING NEWS Saying goodbye to Chloe Weil

It's time to say congratulations and goodbye to our longtime student communications assistant, Chloe Weil. From managing our social media accounts and member events calendar, to designing infographics and Wisconsin Cancer Summit materials, Chloe has been an integral part of our communications team. After graduating from the UW Madison School of Journalism earlier this month, Chloe began a Public Affairs Internship with the Chicago-based strategic communications firm Jasculca Terman. We hate to say goodbye, but we are so excited to see what Chloe does next! Thank you, Chloe!

Member Resources

Melanoma Awareness Month Social Media Toolkit Warmer weather is here, and it's time to raise awareness about melanoma and skin cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. This toolkit from the GW Cancer Center can help you implement evidence-based practices when communicating about melanoma and skin cancer. It can also help you plan, implement, and evaluate your social media strategy and make the case for why it’s important. DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT

Sun Safety and Skin Cancer Social Media Toolkit Raise awareness about sun safety by sharing our social media graphics with your followers. These five graphics, with accompanying sample messages, offer easy tips on how to practice sun safety. Featuring the following messages: Simple ways to reduce skin cancer risk Sun safety for kids The correct way to use sunscreen The dangers of tanning beds Skin cancer myths and facts DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT

Melanoma Dashboard New from the CDC, the Melanoma Dashboard is an interactive tool full of state and local data that can help you tailor your melanoma prevention efforts. The Melanoma Dashboard includes maps of state-level data on melanoma, UV radiation, state laws that support skin cancer prevention, and other skin cancer resources.  VIEW THE DASHBOARD

COVID-19 Vaccination: Rural Communities Toolkit From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' "We Can Do This" Campaign, this toolkit can help you build vaccine confidence and promote preventive measures in rural communities. These resources were designed specifically for organizations that serve rural audiences. VIEW THE TOOLKIT

Member Events

May 15 Women's Screening Event Hosted by the Wisconsin Pink Shawl Initiative and the Southern Oneida Tribal Service See our calendar for details

May 18 Building a Healthier Community Webinar: Urban Gardening Hosted by the American Cancer Society See our calendar for details

May 19 & 26 Personal and Career Development Series Hosted by YWCA Southeast Wisconsin See our calendar for details

Want to add an event to our Member Events Calendar? Email us!

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