The New Hampshire Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration (NHCCC) has awarded funds to three partner organizations to support initiatives that advance key priorities of the Collaboration. "We are pleased to support three innovative projects that will make a difference by promoting the latest scientific screening practices to reduce lung cancer deaths, improving the utilization of palliative care, and mobilizing high school youth toward healthier communities," said NH CCC Board Chair Barbara Kimball.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infects approximately one in four adults in the United States and it is known to be a precursor to cervical and several other types of cancer. Many of these can be prevented with HPV vaccination. Providers can play an important role in increasing pre-teen HPV vaccinations by providing information and recommending the complete 3-dose series of HPV vaccine during preventative care visits when other vaccines are administered. According to the Centers for Disease Control, as many as two-thirds of 11- and 12-year old vaccine-eligible girls may not be receiving HPV vaccines when visiting their doctor for other pre-teen vaccines (Tdap, meningococcal, and influenza).

Individuals and organizations need to coordinate their efforts to create a well-organized system that can deliver clear messaging to providers and parents in New Hampshire about the importance of early HPV vaccination as a cancer prevention strategy. The "2015-2020 NH Cancer Plan" includes an objective to increase the percentage of youth who complete the HPV vaccination series. The Cancer Collaboration, in partnership with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center, recently released a new emerging issue brief, The HPV Vaccine.

View the full issue brief here.

Lisa Marzoli is an Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Wellness Coordinator dedicated to the State of New Hampshire Account. She works with over 35 wellness team members to offer biometric screenings, programs, education, and incentives to state employees and their families. She is a member of the NH Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration Primary Prevention Workgroup whose goal is to create environments that support a healthy lifestyle to reduce cancer risk.

In her work with the state account, the focus is on prevention. Activities include targeted reminders for preventive cancer screenings, partnering with the American Cancer Society to provide education on skin cancer awareness and working with various departments to help employees become tobacco free. 

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To encourage tobacco users to quit this New Year, the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Tobacco Prevention & Control Program launched a hard-hitting media campaign, "Dear Me New Hampshire", and contest from January 13th that runs through April 30. The contest is being promoted to motivate New Hampshire residents to think about their reasons for wanting to quit tobacco.

According to the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, 60% of NH adults who smoke report wanting to quit. The campaign's call to action, "No one can make me quit, but me," was born out of conversations with NH residents wanting to quit smoking or using other tobacco products. Free nicotine replacement therapy in the form of the patch, is being offered to all qualifying NH residents in conjunction with the campaign, while supplies last.

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The Melanoma Foundation of New England (MFNE) is holding its 8th annual "Your Skin Is In" program from January 12 to April 30. The " Your Skin Is In" program educates teens and young adults about the dangers of tanning and the direct link between tanning beds and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. High School and college students as well as family members are invited to visit www.mfne.org and take the "Your Skin Is In" pledge!

MFNE has partnered with the NH Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration for several years to increase awareness in NH high schools about the link between tanning and developing melanoma, a potentially deadly form of cancer. We will be working together again this year to support legislation that will ban indoor tanning for anyone under 18 years of age.

This year "Your Skin Is In" is expanding its reach to include education to parents. It is important for parents to be role models for their kids when it comes to skin health.

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