This Week's Advocacy News: 'Cancers Caused by Infections Are More Common Than You Might Think'
Cancers caused by infections are quite common (https://wapo.st/3zWGjUV). A recent report (https://cancerprogressreport.aacr.org/progress/cpr24-contents/cpr24-reducing-the-risk-of-cancer-development/) from the American Association for Cancer Research attributed 13% of cancer cases worldwide to infections. Some estimates (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/infections/infections-that-can-lead-to-cancer/intro.html) run as high as 20%, with particularly high rates of infection-related cancers in developing countries.
ONS Perspective
Oncology nurses have a tremendous role in cancer prevention (https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/01-2019/cancer-prevention-oncology-nurses-save-lives-by-raising-awareness#:~:text=%E2%80%9COncology%20nurses%20have%20a%20tremendous,of%20prevention%2C%E2%80%9D%20Watson%20says.)—not only to follow cancer prevention primary and secondary screening recommendations, but to also help educate others about the importance of prevention. Accordingly, cancer prevention is a central focus of ONS’s health policy priorities (https://www.ons.org/make-difference/ons-center-advocacy-and-health-policy/health-policy-priorities-and-agenda). To support its members in raising awareness of infection-related cancer prevention, ONS is collaborating with the HPV Cancers Alliance (https://hpvca.org/) to promote increased vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to cervical, head and neck, anal, and penile cancers. ONS advocates and the HPV Cancers Alliance are also engaging with the White House to advocate for HPV vaccination as a critical component of cancer prevention under the Cancer Moonshot initiative (https://voice.ons.org/advocacy/10-2024/this-weeks-advocacy-news-the-cancer-moonshot-goes-global). Additionally, ONS recently hosted a webinar outlining strategies to improve HPV vaccination rates (https://vimeo.com/992855745?share=copy).
Join oncology nurse advocates in advancing cancer prevention and improving health outcomes for all. Discover how you can make a difference today.
Additional Articles of Interest
- Biden-Harris Administration Takes Next Step on Proposed Model to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for People With Medicare (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/10/09/biden-harris-administration-takes-next-step-proposed-model-lower-prescription-drug-costs-people-medicare.html)
- Breast Cancer Rising Among Younger Women and Asian Americans, Report Finds (https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/breast-cancer-rising-younger-women-asian-americans-report-finds-rcna173287)
- HHS Announces Cost Savings for 54 Prescription Drugs (https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hhs-announces-cost-savings-54-prescription-drugs-thanks-medicare-inflation-rebate-program)
- Indigenous Women Continue to Face Barriers to Breast Cancer Care, Report Finds (https://abcnews.go.com/Health/indigenous-women-continue-face-barriers-breast-cancer-care/story?id=114727383)
- The Impact of the Dobbs Decision on Cancer Care (https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/other/hmd/event/the-impact-of-the-dobbs-decision-on-cancer-care-a-virtual-webinar-series/interactive/)
ONS Resources
- ONS Voice article: ‘We Are on the Doorsteps of Much More Progress’: NCI Needs Nearly $12 Billion in 2026 to Reach for Cancer Moonshot Goals (https://voice.ons.org/advocacy/10-2024/we-are-on-the-doorsteps-of-much-more-progress-nci-needs-nearly-12-billon-in-2026)
- ONS Voice article: The National Cancer Plan Wants to Share Your Organization’s Success in Optimizing the Oncology Workforce (https://voice.ons.org/advocacy/10-2024/the-national-cancer-plan-wants-to-share-your-organizations-success-in-optimizing)
- Oncology Nursing Podcast™ Episode 330: Stay Up to Date on Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs (https://www.ons.org/podcasts/episode-330-stay-date-safe-handling-hazardous-drugs)