NCCC Arizona (Southwest Regional)
Chapter Leader: Shaundra Hall
After being diagnosed with cervical cancer at 28, my life took an unexpected but an amazing turn. What was once heartache has turned into something fulfilling and purposeful. I am a 25+ year survivor and proud to be the Regional Director of the Southwest Chapter for the NCCC. I’ve met so many women and men affected by HPV related cancers, just like cervical cancer, many of which have shared their stories with me when they haven’t been able to share them with anyone else. I’ve had friends and family tell me that they’ve ensured their loved ones received the HPV vaccination series because they did not want to create an opportunity for cancer, seeing what my husband and I went through years ago during my diagnosis and treatment. My mission is to support, educate and promote cervical cancer prevention & HPV prevention and detection by learning about the latest scientific developments regarding HPV related diseases and more recently about advancements in cervical cancer clinical research. My career in clinical research administration propels me to advocate for greater access to gynecologic clinical trials and fast track trials for women with advanced disease. There are so many misconceptions about clinical research which also creates missed opportunities for access to cutting edge therapies that may provide life extending or greater quality of life benefits for the participant. If you are seeking a clinical research trial, discuss what clinical research trials are appropriate for you with your healthcare provider, and you can also see what clinical trials are recruiting in your area by going to https://clinicaltrials.gov.
Chapter Co-leader: Gail Petersen Hock
Gail Petersen Hock is a board certified public/community health clinical nurse specialist and advanced practice public health nurse. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Community Health Nursing from Arizona State University. Gail studied epidemiology and public health ethics at Harvard School of Public Health, completed the Applied Health Informatics Program at Johns Hopkins University and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at Brandman University in the Chapman System. She has been a hospital and school nurse, directed nurse-managed outreach clinics for the uninsured, and has more than a decade of experience as nursing faculty. Gail’s doctoral project Questions I Wished I’d Asked: Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Option Information for Women by Women was completed with the support of the American Sexual Health Association, the Arizona Chapter of NCCC and the contributions of all the cervical cancer survivors who participated in the study. Gail was diagnosed with Stage 0 cervical cancer in 1982 and is grateful for a complete recovery. It is her personal and professional mission to raise HPV vaccination rates in all adolescents to reduce the risk of HPV cancers in their futures.
Listen in as Dr. Peterson Hock appears on KJZZ to discuss the recent FDA decision approving HPV vaccination for adults ages 27-45!
Chapter Liaison: Blair Coe Schweiger
Blair Meredith Coe Schweiger earned a BA in socio-cultural and medical anthropology at ASU, studied medicine at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Cumbaya, Ecuador, and is a Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology at Baylor University. Her research interests include medical anthropology, evolutionary biology, art, health communication, family dynamics, resilience, immunizations, and cancer. Her visions stem from having lived so intimately close to the divide between those who have and those who have not — those who have wealth and those who experience poverty, those who have formal education and those who do not, and those who have experienced joy and those whose lives have been touched by sorrow.
Local Resources
Arizona Family Health Partnership
3101 North Central Avenue, Suite 1120
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
(602) 258-5777
Toll Free (888) 272-5652
Arizona Family Health Partnership is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to making reproductive healthcare and education available and accessible to all women, men and teens in Arizona, even if they lack health insurance or money. AFHP health centers are located throughout Arizona, including in rural areas.
HPV Cancer and Prevention Profile for Arizona
This document offers a profile of HPV-related cancers and prevention efforts in the state, including rates of cervical and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as HPV vaccination rates and missed opportunities for prevention.
Chapter Activities
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University examined the mortality rate (or death rate) with cervical cancer found a significant disparity between white women and Black women. The authors say the racial differences likely stem from a variety of factors: compared to white women, Black women have more barriers to health care and tend to be diagnosed with cervical cancer at a more advanced stage of disease (when the outcomes are poorer). They also note that differences in treatment may have a role, as black women with cervical cancer are at greater risk of inadequate care. This video, put together with assistance from the NCCC Southwest Regional chapter, highlights the issue and emphasizes the importance of regular screening and vaccination to prevent cervical cancer.
An audience of 60 women turned out for the Southwest Regional Chapter’s Cervical Health Awareness Month presentation at Crossroad’s Flower location in Phoenix. Thanks to Crossroads Staff – Delia for organizing and Brooke for posing for the photo with Gail.
Most of all thanks to the women who attended who are working on their health and recovery!
The NCCC Southwest Regional chapter was on hand at a screening of Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic, sponsored by the Junior League of Phoenix, Scottsdale First Church of the Nazarene, The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI), Arizona Oncology, The Arizona Immunization Program Office and Genesis City. Read more about the event in the Valley Impact Magazine of the Junior League of Phoenix.
Cervical Cancer Prevention in Arizona
This downloadable fact sheet outlines the key steps to prevent cervical cancer—vaccinate early and screen regularly. Customized for the Southwest Regional chapter, it also highlights statistics that show the burden of cervical cancer in Arizona.
Chapter Partners
The Arizona chapter is pleased to partner with Arizona Family Health Partnership (AFHP). AFHP is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to making reproductive healthcare and education available and accessible to all women, men and teens in Arizona, even if they lack health insurance or money. AFHP health centers are located throughout Arizona, including in rural areas.
The Arizona chapter is pleased to have The Arizona Partnership for Immunization as a supporter. Chapter leader Shaundra Hall was a featured speakers at TAPI’s September Community Awareness Meeting, speaking about the NCCC and our efforts to educate the public regarding HPV vaccines.
Big thanks to TruStrenth for their extreme generosity in supporting the Arizona chapter of the NCCC.