Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer | VTAAC

68th VTAAC Quarterly Newsletter

Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer (VTAAC) provides a forum for collaboration, engagement and sharing of resources for individuals and organizations concerned about cancer in Vermont.

VTAAC Quarterly Newsletters share VTAAC news and resources, provide information on the progress of our current 2025 Vermont Cancer Plan, communicate meetings and events, and enhance statewide collaboration. 

For additional information or meeting details, please visit our website or reach out to Hanna at coordinator@vtaac.org.

The Prevention & Detection Workgroup created an updated Cancer Screening Guide following USPSTF Cancer Screening Guidelines.

We hope this short infographic provides helpful information to be shared with patients, providers and the wider community.

Colorectal Cancer Co-Branded Toolkits

The Colorectal Cancer Taskforce, spearheaded by co-chairs, Rebecca Hewson-Steller (Southwestern Vermont Medical Center) and Kristina Kiarsis (Vermont Department of Health) co-branded three toolkits around follow-up colonoscopy costs. These three summary guides are for insurance companies, patients and providers to clarify the costs associated with follow-up colonoscopies.

Please share widely!



VTAAC's HPV Taskforce created two call-to-action letters to encourage HPV vaccinations starting at age 9. One version of this letter is for health care providers and the other is for dental health care providers. Many organizations and health care systems endorsed this letter from across the state.

Please share widely!



Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Dartmouth Cancer Center, IMPACT Melanoma & VTAAC, as part of the Skin Cancer Taskforce, 12 sites across VT were selected to receive free sunscreen dispensers and a start-up supply of sunscreen for their summer programming.

The purpose of these free sunscreen stations is two-fold: to provide easy access to SPF 30 sunscreen as well as remind Vermont residents and visitors that sun protection is critical to their optimal health and sun safety is in their hands — quite literally. 



Vermont has the second highest incidence rate of melanoma in the U.S. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or tanning beds is a major risk factor for developing melanoma.

To see the list of selected sites, more information on the program and sun safety social media toolkits, visit www.vtaac.org/free-sunscreen-dispenser-initiative.

Vermont Survivorship Data

Approximately seven percent of Vermonters have been diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Among Vermonters living with cancer, 18% have been diagnosed with two or more cancers, and three percent have been diagnosed with three or more cancers.

Survivors currently undergoing treatment are more likely to report pain than those who have completed treatment, and pain is more prevalent among survivors who have more recently been diagnosed. 

Years since diagnosis

Interventions seeking to support cancer survivors should be planned to consider whether the appropriate population is all survivors or a subset to more efficiently and powerfully effect change.

Data Source: 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey

 New!

Vermont Age-Adjusted Cancer Incidence and Mortality

2016-2020

Childhood Cancer

Gynecological Cancer

Leukemia

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin Lymphoma 

Ovarian Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Thyroid Cancer 

Breast Cancer

Liver Cancer

Lung Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Stomach Cancer

Carcinoid Cancer