Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer | VTAAC

67th 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.

VTAAC, Pride Center of Vermont and You First hosted two virtual LGBTQ+ Best Practices Trainings in May. The two trainings, which covered the same material, focused on identity development, how to normalize conversations regarding personal pronouns and a conversation with participants to identify best practices when working with LGBTQ+ clients.

We had a fantastic turnout with 73 participants on May 2 and 69 participants on May 25. Kell Arbor (they/them), Director of Health & Wellness Programs at Pride Center of Vermont, led these trainings. Thank you, Kell!

For more information on cancer screening resources at the Pride Center, please click the green button below.

This summer, the UVM Cancer Center and the Vermont Lake Monsters are educating and providing sun safe resources so fans can still enjoy baseball while limiting exposure to harmful UV rays.

The UVM Cancer Center is sponsoring free SPF 30 all summer long through new sunscreen dispensers around the grandstands (pictured above). Champ, the Lake Monsters mascot, will be educating fans during the games about sun safety and ways to protect and reduce your skin cancer risk.

The VTAAC Sun Safety Taskforce will also be looking to provide dispensers to high traffic locations across Vermont this summer. Details of this project are still in the works, but we look forward to sharing more information soon!

Vermonters Have High Rates of Sunburns

Vermont has the second highest incidence rate of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, in the U.S. Exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or tanning beds is a major risk factor for developing melanoma. In Vermont, approximately 44% of adults report having had a sunburn in the past year (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey 2019). Even more alarmingly, 76% of high school students and 67% of middle school students report having had a sunburn in the past year (Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2021).

Since sunburns are positively associated with the development of melanoma and other types of skin cancer, reducing sunburns in Vermont is a public health priority.

Dartmouth Cancer Center Seeking NH and VT Renters for Focus Groups

Dartmouth Cancer Center Seeking NH and VT Adults Who Smoke Cigarettes for Focus Groups

Researchers at Dartmouth Cancer Center are looking for New Hampshire and Vermont adults to take part in a research study about radon and radon testing. If your current home has not been tested for radon, Dartmouth Cancer Center wants to hear from you.

The study will involve:

• Taking a 10-minute survey about yourself and your thoughts about radon testing.
• Taking part in a discussion group called a focus group with other people. During the focus group, you and others will be asked to share your thoughts and opinions about radon testing. The focus group will take about 90 minutes and will be held on Zoom. You will then be asked to complete a 5-minute survey after the focus group.

You may receive up to $75 for participating.

If you are interested, please complete their Interest Form below.

If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor, then you know staying healthy after cancer treatment can be challenging.

CDC developed the “Talk to Someone” Simulation that helps provide advice on four different topics. Linda, a cancer survivor, discusses alcohol, tobacco, anxiety and distress, and physical activity and nutrition. You can choose different options to get answers to your questions about making healthy choices.

Check out the “Talk to Someone” Simulation and learn more about how you or someone you know can stay healthy after cancer treatment.

There is a lot of great work happening in VTAAC's workgroups, taskforces and committees!

Health Equity Committee: Activities work to ensure that all Vermonters have a fair and just opportunity to be healthy. The next project will focus on updating VTAAC’s guiding principles to include more inclusive and health equity-focused language/structure. 

Prevention & Detection Workgroup: Activities focus on preventing cancer from occurring or recurring and detecting cancer at its earliest stages. Current work: Updating VTAAC's Cancer Screening Guidelines one-pager. Meets quarterly for 60 minutes.

Quality of Life Workgroup: Activities focus on treating cancer with appropriate, quality care and ensuring the highest quality of life possible for cancer survivors. Current work: The Vermont Department of Health and VTAAC received $25,000 in CDC supplemental funds to support psychosocial support efforts. The group is forming a plan on how best to use the money. Meets quarterly for 90 minutes.

Lung Cancer Screening Taskforce: Activities focus on increasing early detection of lung cancer in Vermonters. Current work: Collaborating with the American Cancer Society, who received $15,500 to do a media and educational campaign during Lung Cancer Awareness Month (November). Meets every other month for 60 minutes. 

Colorectal Canter Taskforce: Activities focus on increasing early detection of colorectal cancer in Vermonters. Current work: Creating a Vermont-focused version of ACS' "Coverage for a Follow-Up Colonoscopy: Summary Guide for Insurance Companies and Clinics". Next meeting will likely be in August.

HPV Taskforce: Activities focus on preventing Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections in young Vermonters. Current work: Finalizing a multi-state call-to-action letter to encourage providers to recommend HPV vaccinations to their patients starting at age 9. Meets every other month for 60 minutes. 

If you're interested in getting involved in any of these groups, please email Hanna at coordinator@vtaac.org.

National Cancer Survivor Month

Sarcoma

National Immunization Awareness Month