Head & Neck Cancer Check: CPS in conjunction with the Head & Neck Cancer Alliance are pleased to present a new app – the Head & Neck Cancer Check. This mobile-friendly website has been created as an educational reference, guiding the viewer through self-examination of the head and neck and providing information about head and neck cancers. The website is designed to be mobile-friendly and can be viewed as an app on iphone and android. The website includes general information on head and neck cancers, a comprehensive video of self-examination, an image library of normal anatomy, benign and cancerous lesions of the mouth and information on how to take further action if an abnormality is found. Click the banner below to access the site!
This mobile-friendly website has been created as an educational reference, guiding the viewer through self-examination of the head and neck and providing information about head and neck cancers. The website is designed to be mobile-friendly and can be viewed as an app on iphone and android. The website includes:
General information on head and neck cancers
Comprehensive video of self-examination
Image library of normal anatomy, benign and cancerous lesions of the mouth
Information on how to take further action if an abnormality is found
US vs. HPV Week 2024 – January 22-26 – AHNS members – please take a moment to distribute information on the upcoming US vs HPV Awareness Week to your patients and colleagues. This joint initiative between the Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer (GIAHC), American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) and Indiana University National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health will take place next week from January 22- January 26, 2024. There are several free events available during the week, and their registration links can be found below.
There will be a congressional hearing called “Preventing HPV-Related Cancers through Vaccination and Screening” on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 12:00pm Eastern. The hearing will feature Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), and Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA).
The week will also include a session on Thursday, January 25th from 12:00-1:00pm entitled “HPV and Oropharyngeal Cancer” and will include presentations from several AHNS members.
PROVIDERS: Be sure to download & share with your patients & colleagues the attached HPV FACT SHEET provided by the AHNS Cancer Prevention Service
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HPV Related Oropharyngeal Cancer: Epidemiology, Diagnosis & Staging, Treatment and Prevention – a 4-part webinar presentation examining Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Related Oropharyngeal Cancer discussing 1) epidemiology, 2) diagnosis & staging, 3) treatment and 4) Prevention. Click the image at the right to view the presentation.
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Recipients of the 2022 Community Service Awards
We are very pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 AHNS Cancer Prevention Service’s Community Service Awards – each year AHNS five $1000 awards to individuals, departments, organizations, or institutions in support of a patient or community-oriented project held in conjunction with the annual Oral Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Week taking place annually in April. This year’s recipients are:
- April Peterson, Nashville, TN – identifying and creating pathways through the existing barriers to head and neck cancer care for the incarcerated.
- Carissa Thomas, Birmingham, AL – “Expressions of the Head & Neck Cancer Journey”: A Visual Art Experience for Head & Neck Oncology Patients
- John Pang & Sonia Gupta, Shreveport, LA -Intensive Hypnotherapy with Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation in an Underserved Population – Research Strategy
- Zachary Urdang, Philadelphia, PA – Impact cancer burden: Health communication intervention at community level
- Emily Karp, Rochester, MN – Mayo Clinic partnering with Community Health Service Inc. (CHSI) in Rochester to promote awareness and prevention of HNC in the CHSI community through HNC education and screening events.
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The FDA expands ages for HPV vaccination in men and women: New opportunities for cancer prevention
The Food and Drug Administration recently expanded the age for vaccination of boys and girls to now include 27 to 45 year olds. The Gardasil 9 vaccine covers the HPV types that cause over 90% of human cancers, including HPV 16, which is responsible for over 90% of HPV-related oropharyngeal tumors. This is an important opportunity for disease prevention since the incidence of HPV related throat cancer has increased over 200% in the last three decades, now making it the most common HPV-related cancer in the United States. The goal of expanding vaccination into this later age group is that it may serve to reduce persistent high risk HPV infections that could result in the development of cancer. It is indicated in boys and girls, ages 9 to 45 years, and is given
as a two shot (if started before age 15) or three shot series. While official endorsement for vaccination after age 26 is still pending, this in no way should impact the strong recommendation of HPV vaccination to all boys and girls prior to the onset of sexual activity. Members of the American Head and Neck Society are encouraged to discuss HPV vaccination with their patients, especially when they or their family members fall in this recommended window for vaccination.
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AHNS and the American Cancer Society CDC HPV Steering Committee
October 1, 2018 – Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan, the AHNS President Elect and past Chair for the Cancer Prevention Service, has been elected to serve on the Steering Committee of the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the American Cancer Society. This multidisciplinary group has representatives from over 65 member organizations and includes physicians, health policy makers, pharmacists, allied health providers, and survivors. It’s goal is to develop and impart a strategic plan to raise awareness of HPV-related disease and increase uptake of available HPV Vaccines. The Cancer Prevention Service has been active in these initiatives and welcomes the participation of all AHNS members. The current chair of the Prevention Service, Dr. Mike Moore, is also on the Task Force of the HPV Vaccination Roundtable. For more information on how to get involved, please contact the AHNS Administrative Office.
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SLIDE DECK: HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer:
What you need to know about diagnosis, treatment and management
This slide deck is designed to help Head & Neck surgeons better educate pediatricians and other primary care providers about HPV and Head & Neck Cancer, explaining oropharyngeal cancer basics (including the link with HPV) and promoting the vaccine.
