2022 Winter Issue

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 Vermont Cancer Plan, communicate meetings and events, and enhance statewide collaboration. Each issue highlights a different goal in the Vermont Cancer Plan. This quarter's newsletter focuses on Prevention and Detection.

For additional information or meeting details, please contact Hanna Snyder, VTAAC Coordinator, at coordinator@vtaac.org.

VTAAC Prevention & Detection Taskforce Updates

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Taskforce

This past fall VTAAC launched a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Taskforce. At the recent taskforce meeting, discussion focused on sharing past projects, current Vermont HPV vaccination work, and potential areas for collaboration, as well as ways to further promote the HPV Oral Health Toolkit.

The HPV Taskforce will be creating an action plan for 2023 at the next meeting on Wednesday, January 18 at 11 AM. This group meets the third Wednesday of every other month. If you'd like to learn more or join, please email Hanna at coordinator@vtaac.org.

Lung Cancer Screening Taskforce

The Lung Cancer Screening Taskforce welcomed two new co-chairs, Dana Bourne, MPH, Tobacco Treatment Specialist with the Vermont Department of Health's Tobacco Control Program and Beth Zigmund, MD, Director of Lung Cancer Screening at the UVM Medical Center. In a recent meeting, members were surveyed around next year's priorities and discussed ways to expand this past summer's provider trainings and community education campaign.

This taskforce meets the first Thursday of every other month beginning Thursday, Feb. 2 at noon. If you'd like to learn more or join, please email Hanna at coordinator@vtaac.org.

Visit VTAAC's Lung Cancer Screening Page

Colorectal Cancer In the News

Stool Tests Like Cologuard are Gaining Popularity Over Colonoscopy. Which Should You Get?

This recent USA Today article discusses recommendations for colorectal cancer screening and alternatives to getting a colonoscopy. Check out the full article below for more information on stool tests such as FIT and Cologuard. This article provides an easy-to-understand explanation of colorectal cancer screening options.

Read the USA Today Article

Health Equity Update

Health Equity Committee Planning Meeting

VTAAC's first Health Equity Committee meeting was held in early December. This planning meeting focused on developing the group's purpose and goals. Attendees heard from the Minnesota Cancer Alliance's Cancer Health Equity Network (CHEN) and were then guided through an engagement activity with members of the Vermont Department of Health's Office of Health Equity Integration team. There was great conversation about what members envision this group to be and potential projects. At the next meeting in mid-February, the committee will continue the engagement activity and hone in on a clear action plan.

If you'd like to be involved or learn more, please email coordinator@vtaac.org.

Department of Health Update

Evaluation Report

The Vermont Department of Health and VTAAC worked in partnership with Professional Data Analysts (PDA) to create the Year 5 Annual Evaluation Report for the Vermont Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CCCP). The report examines how the CCCP, the VTAAC coalition, and the Vermont Cancer Plan have contributed to the goal of reducing the cancer burden in Vermont over the last year (2021-2022).

Read the Evaluation Report

New! Mortality Chapter

The Vermont Department of Health recently published the Mortality chapter of the Cancer Data Pages. These chapters are designed to be a resource for anyone interested in cancer data in Vermont. This latest chapter covers the leading causes of death in VT, cancer mortality in VT and the US, and leading causes of cancer death in VT.

Read all of the Cancer Data Pages HERE.

Read the Mortality Chapter

Community Connection

Dartmouth Cancer Center Seeking Community Research Ambassadors!

Community Research Ambassadors are cancer survivors or care partners who contribute their expertise and lived experience to ensure Dartmouth Cancer Center research aligns with what matters most. After participating in an orientation process, Ambassadors can be matched with a wide variety of opportunities, such as reviewing and scoring grant applications, reviewing research materials, advising scientists on their research projects, supporting research dissemination, advising on strategies to improve access to clinical trials, and more!

Dartmouth Cancer Center is particularly in need of people with lived experiences with oropharyngeal and colorectal cancer. See if you're eligible to become a Community Research Ambassador HERE.

Fill Out the Interest Form

LGBTQIA+ Health Summit

April 22, 2023

Pride Center of Vermont, in partnership with Out in the Open and Outright Vermont, is hosting an LGBTQIA+ Health Summit at the Vermont Technical College in Randolph on Saturday, April 22, 2023. This Summit will bring together key people who have a stake in LGBTQIA+ inclusive and just healthcare: providers from around the state who want to share skills and learn from leaders in their respective fields, LGBTQIA+ providers who want to resource themselves and their colleagues, and LGBTQIA+ adults from around the state impacted by the healthcare system who want to share their knowledge, experiences, skills, and learning.

The goal for the LGBTQIA+ Health Summit is to provide opportunities to nourish our LGBTQIA+ community, as well as connect with leading providers across the state who enhance the health access and justice of our communities. Look for information on registering to participate in early 2023.

For more information, please email: summit@pridecentervt.org.

Learn More