News from the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative | September 2022

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month -- a time to honor survivors of pediatric cancer and raise awareness about childhood cancer and its impact on long-term health. 

Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under age 14. In Wisconsin, an estimated 263 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.

According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, two out of every three childhood cancer survivors will experience significant long-term health issues as a result of their treatment, which can negatively affect their health and well-being for the rest of their lives. 

Do you work with childhood cancer survivors? If so, we would love to hear from you. What are your successes and/or barriers in addressing the needs of childhood cancer survivors and their caregivers? Let us know, and we may include your responses in future efforts to raise awareness about childhood cancer in Wisconsin.

Photo credit: American Cancer Society

Please submit a nomination for one (or more!) of our four annual awards, presented at the 2022 Wisconsin Cancer Summit on Oct. 20.

This honors a group of two or more organizations that have demonstrated effective teamwork in advancing cancer control goals. 

This honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to cancer control outcomes – locally, regionally, and/or statewide.

This honors an organization or project that has made a significant contribution to cancer control outcomes – locally, regionally, and/or statewide.

Health Care Hero Award:

Introduced in 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this award honors a health care worker or a system/clinic/practice for their exceptional dedication to serving and supporting patients while advancing the progress of public health.

Nominations are due September 30. Multiple nominations are welcome.

Share your organization's success stories by signing up to become a Summit exhibitor.

Exhibitor space is free for nonprofit organizations, and $100 for all others. Exhibiting at the Summit is an excellent opportunity to network with potential partners and share your latest tools and resources.

To sign up for exhibit space, please fill out our 2022 Summit Exhibitor Form. Or contact Tina Pap to learn more!

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

Wisconsin is now home to a statewide immunization coalition! The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (WI-AAP) has announced the creation of Immunize Wisconsin, a new coalition of communities and organizations working together to provide fact-based resources about vaccines.

The goal of Immunize Wisconsin is to improve the state’s vaccination rates. In addition, the group will work to address the inequities that prevent many people, particularly children, from getting vaccinated, and will provide funding and support for existing programs made more challenging during the pandemic.

Learn more, get involved, and sign up for updates at immunizewi.org.

Gilda's Club of Madison is once again offering Cancer Transitions, a 4-week virtual class for cancer patients at the end of treatment, beginning Sept. 20, from 6 to 7:30 pm.

Please print, post, and share this announcement with patients. Participation is free.

JUUL Labs has agreed to pay $438.5 million to settle a two-year investigation into sales and marketing practices targeting kids and teens. 

According to a statement last week from the Wisconsin Department of Justice, "JUUL relentlessly marketed to underage users, [sold] a technology-focused, sleek design that could be easily concealed, and sold its product in flavors known to be attractive to underage users. JUUL also manipulated the chemical composition of its product to make the vapor less harsh on the throats of young and inexperienced users. To preserve its young customer base, JUUL relied on age verification techniques that it knew were ineffective."

Advocates have long raised alarm that JUUL has directly fueled the youth vaping epidemic through product design and marketing tactics. In June, the FDA issued orders that would ban JUUL products from stores but paused those orders after the company responded with a lawsuit. Advocates are now calling on the FDA to remove JUUL products from the market.

In Wisconsin, 11% of middle schoolers and 32% of high schoolers have tried vaping. The Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Program helps teens quit by offering resources and programs for schools, parents, and youth.

In honor of Women in Medicine Month, use this media kit from the American Medical Association. Help to recognize women in medicine by sharing these images and posts through your social media channels.

This study, in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, explores trends among different socio-demographic factors contributing to rising rates of advanced cervical cancer.

This video, featuring Dr. Don S. Dizon (he/him), shares three cancer screening facts people should know, whether they personally identify as LGBTQ+, are close to someone who does, or serve LGBTQ+ patients. This video was a collaboration between Breastcancer.org and The National LGBT Cancer Network.

Plus: View the National LGBT Cancer Network's directory of screening providers who are LGBTQ+ welcoming -- and add your name to the list.

A recent retrospective observational study published in the Journal of Oncology found infectious complications continue to affect survivors of childhood cancer many years after diagnosis. Investigators also found that when potentially vaccine-preventable infections were evaluated, survivors had a greater risk of infection relative to comparators, indicating opportunities for vaccination.

Find more resources, reports, and CMEs in our online Resource Center.

Sept. 22 (and ongoing)