Nearly $4 million has been awarded for adolescent cancer research, with Assistant Professor Paula Cuccaro, Professor Ross Shegog, and Associate Professor Lara Savas leading the way. The trio received $3,996,163 from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to develop adolescent cancer prevention research. This funding is part of a larger $100 million grant aimed at advancing cancer research in Texas.
Cuccaro, Shegog, and Savas, from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston), will focus on preventing human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers. Cuccaro, leading the "All for Them" program, expressed the importance of increasing HPV vaccination rates among children and teens in medically underserved areas. She stated, "In our participating school districts, the HPV vaccination rates we are seeing continue to improve but are still suboptimal compared to the national rates."
The "All for Them" program collaborates with school districts, healthcare providers, and community organizations to offer free HPV vaccinations for young individuals. Cuccaro's team plans to utilize evidence-based strategies such as social marketing, vaccination clinics, and school nurse training to overcome barriers to vaccinations and raise awareness about the importance of HPV vaccination.
On the other hand, Shegog and Savas will be expanding the Adolescent Vaccination Program (AVP) with a $1,496,194 grant to increase access to HPV vaccinations in underserved communities. By introducing the AVP to nonprofit safety net clinics, the program aims to boost HPV vaccination rates by at least 15% for adolescents between the ages of 9-17 over the next three years. Shegog highlighted the significance of this project, stating, "This project is significant because it will demonstrate if an innovative and successful multilevel HPV vaccination program can be effective when adapted and expanded to nonprofit safety net clinics in Texas."
The initiatives led by Cuccaro, Shegog, and Savas represent a crucial step in combating adolescent cancer and promoting preventive measures through increased HPV vaccination rates. The impact of their research and programs could significantly improve health outcomes and contribute to the larger goal of reducing cancer incidence among young individuals.
