VERMONTERS TAKING ACTION AGAINST CANCER | VTAAC

VTAAC Co-Chairs 

Taskforce Chairs

VTAAC Staff

For more information and to learn how to get involved, email Hanna Snyder at coordinator@vtaac.org.

Taskforce Mission

The Colorectal Cancer Taskforce seeks to increase early detection of colorectal cancer in Vermont. A recent project included the creation of a Colorectal Cancer Resource page on VTAAC’s website. For Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (March), the Colorectal Cancer Taskforce created an organized communications campaign to share messaging to the public about the importance of getting screened. Please see below for more information on the Colorectal Cancer Taskforce goals within the Vermont Cancer Plan.

Click here to view the Colorectal Cancer Communications Resources.

Colorectal Cancer Taskforce Co-Chair

Colorectal Cancer-Related Goals in the Vermont Cancer Plan

To get involved with this taskforce, please email coordinator@vtaac.org.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (March) 

March is colorectal cancer awareness month. With regular screening, almost all colorectal cancer can be prevented. If you are 45 or older, please talk to your doctor about screening options.

Key Facts about Colorectal Cancer (American Cancer Society, 2023):

• Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States.
• More than 151,000 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2022 (80,690 men; 70,340 women). 
• More than 52,500 people died of colorectal cancer in 2022 (28,400 men; 24,180 women).
• Increasing the population rate of screening to 80% or greater would prevent tens of thousands of additional new cases of colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer deaths. 
• Overall, colorectal cancer deaths are on the decline, but have been increased in people younger than age 55 since the mid-2000’s. 
• African American individuals have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of all racial groups in the US.
• Jewish people of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews) have one of the highest colorectal cancer risks of any ethnic group in the world. 

Images and Videos (with VTAAC’s logo):

• The more people get screened for colorectal cancer, the more colorectal cancers are prevented. | ACS
• Why ask your doctor about screening? Colorectal cancer can be prevented or detected early, when it’s more likely to be treatable. | ACS
• There are several screening options for colorectal cancer, including simple take-home tests. There’s no reason not to get screened. | ACS
• Regular screening for colon cancer can save lives. | ACS
• Regular screening for colon cancer can save lives – MP4 | ACS

Coverage for a Follow-Up Colonoscopy Toolkits

• Summary Guide for Insurance Companies and Clinics
• Summary Guide for Patients and Caregivers
• Summary Guide for Providers and Medical Offices

Fact Sheets

• Colorectal Cancer – Catching it Early Infographic | ACS
• Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives | CDC
• Colorectal Cancer Screening Fact Sheet | CDC
• Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests-At-A-Glance | CDC

Digital Materials

• Colorectal Cancer Quiz | ACS
• “The Bums and the Bees” Video | CDC
• Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Video | UVM
• Resource Center | National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable

Social Media Toolkits (For Public Education Campaigns):

• Colorectal Awareness Month Social Media Toolkit | GW University Cancer Center
• Colorectal Cancer Social Media Posts and Images | CDC
• Your Colon is 45 Social Media Campaign | ACS and The Colorectal Cancer Alliance

Data from Vermont Department of Data, Cancer Data Pages, Chapter 2: Cancer Screening

The newly reactivated HPV Taskforce began meeting again on October 12, 2022. The previous taskforce (called an HPV Roundtable) met quarterly but faded away during COVID. As part of the original taskforce, an HPV Oral Health Toolkit (example below)  was created and distributed to dental offices in Vermont. Efforts also focused on provider education and coordination among related education projects. At the recent taskforce meeting, discussion focused on revamping the work, sharing of past projects, current Vermont HPV vaccination work across the state, and potential areas for collaboration.

If you are interested in attending the next taskforce meeting or have any questions about our shared work, please reach out to Hanna Snyder, Coalition Coordinator, at coordinator@vtaac.org. 

Improving Access to Cancer Treatment and Care

Effective treatment of cancer requires a multi-disciplinary team approach. This team includes medical specialists like surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, nurses, social workers, radiologists and pathologists; as well as a network of family, friends, and caregivers all surrounding and supporting a well-informed patient. Working together, this team and the person diagnosed with cancer may decide to use a single treatment method or a combination of methods.

The treatment plan depends on the type and location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, the patient’s age and general health and other factors. Cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormones, or immunotherapy. Proper nutrition, general health and emotional support also play important roles in effective treatment and optimum recovery.

Clinical trials have lead to many advances in cancer care. Many of today’s most effective cancer treatment approaches are based on results from previous trials. By participating in clinical trials, patients have the opportunity to contribute to the research process and have access to innovative treatment options.

Not all Vermonters diagnosed with cancer are receiving the appropriate standard of care. Reasons include high out-of-pocket costs, lack of insurance coverage, lack of appropriate referrals from primary care providers, lack of reliable transportation, long distances from treatment centers and unpredictable weather conditions.

To learn more about our current goals and objectives see the 2025 Vermont State Cancer Plan.

Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer death in Vermont, but getting screened can save your life. Lung cancer screening can find cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.

Read the latest press release to learn more: UVM, Dartmouth, VTAAC Launch Public Education Program Promoting Early Detection of Lung Cancer. 

Lung cancer screening looks for lung cancer before you have symptoms. It involves a quick and painless CT scan (a special type of x-ray) that takes multiple pictures to help doctors get a good look at your lungs.

You should talk with your doctor about getting screened if:

Questions about the screening test

What are the benefits of getting screened?

Lung cancer is often caught late but lung cancer screening can find cancer early, when it’s easier to treat. Lung cancer screening is recommended for people at high risk for lung cancer because it improves their chances of living. 

What are the risks of getting screened?

As with many health tests and procedures, lung cancer screening does have some risks you should talk about with your doctor. Here are some things to think about.

• • Having a false positive result: When doctors see something on your CT scan that could be lung cancer, this is called a ‘positive’ result. Until more tests are done, though, you won’t know whether it really is lung cancer or if it was a false alarm because it wasn’t really cancer. For some people, this can be very stressful.
  • Finding other potential health concerns: While doctors are looking at your CT scan to see if you could have lung cancer, they may also see some other things in your lungs and other parts of your chest that could be health concerns and might need to be looked at further. For some people, it could be a good thing that they’re learning more about their health. For other people, this could be a bad thing since they only wanted to know about lung cancer.

• Being exposed to radiation: The CT scan used for lung cancer screening is a low-dose CT scan—meaning, the radiation used in the scan is at a low level. In fact, it involves 90% less radiation than typical chest CT scans for other purposes. Even still, being exposed to this radiation yearly may be a concern for you.

Visit ShouldIScreen.com to learn more about the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening and to find out your risk of getting lung cancer.

What’s involved in getting screened?

If this is your first time getting screened for lung cancer, you will need to talk with your doctor first. Your doctor will need to go over your health history and talk with you about the benefits and risks of getting screened. Together, you will decide if getting screened is right for you.

If you decide to get screened, your doctor will refer you to a hospital where the CT scan (also called a CAT scan) will happen. You may or may not have to put on a hospital gown, then the staff will have you lie on your back on a table that is connected to the CT scanner. The staff will have you put your arms above your head and will make sure you’re in a good position for the CT scan to work. You’ll be asked to hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds while the table moves into the donut-shaped CT scanner. The CT scanner will take all the pictures in that 5 to 10 seconds, so it’s very quick. CT is not an MRI scan, which some people might find claustrophobic.

How long does the scan take?

Most hospitals will schedule you for a 30-minute appointment to give time for things like paperwork and changing your clothes. The scan itself only takes about 10 seconds, though.

What happens if they find something on my scan?

When doctors are looking at the pictures from your CT scan, they are looking for something called a lung nodule. A lung nodule is a growth that can sometimes be lung cancer. If your CT scan shows that you have a lung nodule, your doctors may recommend that you have another CT scan in 3-6 months to see if the nodule has grown or changed since the first scan. They may also recommend other tests to decide if the nodule is cancer.

Questions about how to get screened

I want to get screened! What do I do now?

Talk with your doctor! Let your doctor know that you’ve learned about lung cancer screening and are interested in seeing if it’s right for you.

What if I don’t have a doctor? How can I get screened?

If you don’t have a regular doctor of your own, Dartmouth Health’s Pulmonary team can help you. You can schedule an appointment with one of their healthcare providers to discuss lung cancer screening. 

For self-referrals to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Lung Health Clinic (formerly known as the Pulmonary Nodule Clinic), please call (603) 650-8537. 

To find a regular doctor in the University of Vermont Health Network, visit https://www.uvmhealth.org/medcenter/find-medical-providers.

Questions about who should get screened

Who is lung cancer screening recommended for?

Lung cancer screening might be right for you if you:

1. Are 50-80 years old,
2. Smoke cigarettes or quit in the last 15 years, and
3. Have smoked at least 20 pack-years. That is the equivalent of 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years. For example:

• 1 pack x 20 years           
• 2 packs x 10 years        
• ½ pack x 40 years         

To figure out your pack-years, click here.

What if I don’t meet all three criteria to get screened?

If you do not meet all three criteria or you’re not sure, please review your history with your doctor and see what they recommend.   

I feel healthy. Should I still consider getting screened?

Yes, lung cancer screening is meant for people who do not have symptoms. 

If you have symptoms like a cough or chest pain, talk with your doctor as you may need a different test. 

I got screened before, and it was a negative (good) result. Why do I need to get screened every year?

Lung cancer screening is recommended every year that you meet these three criteria:

1. Are 50-80 years old,
2. Smoke cigarettes or quit in the last 15 years, and
3. Have smoked the equivalent of at least 1 pack per day for 20 years.

The reason getting screened every year is so important is because the smaller or earlier the cancer is, the better the chance it can be cured. Studies have shown that having a scan every year gives doctors the best chance of catching lung cancer when it can still be cured.

What if I have symptoms, like a cough?

Lung cancer screening is meant for people who do not have symptoms. 

If you have symptoms like a cough or chest pain, it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. This includes talking with your doctor as they may recommend additional testing. 

Questions about finding and getting to a screening location

Where can I get screened in Vermont?

As of May 2022, the following Vermont hospitals provide lung cancer screening:

For additional information or to find a lung cancer screening location outside of Vermont, click here.

What if I don’t have or can’t afford transportation to get to my screening appointment?

When you schedule your CT scan appointment, we encourage you to let the coordinator know that you are concerned about transportation. This is a common concern, and some hospitals have resources and supports available for patients.

We know that transportation can be especially challenging in rural parts of Vermont, such as the Northeast Kingdom and the Rutland area. If you live in these areas, please discuss options with your provider if you have any transportation concerns.

Questions about cost and paying for screening

How much does screening cost? 

Most people in VT will be covered through Medicare/Medicaid/Private insurance coverage.  If you meet the criteria for lung cancer screening described above, the cost of the screening CT scan is covered in Vermont by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. 

If you have no insurance (in other words, Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance) the cost of screening can vary, but the scan itself can cost about $100-400, though there may be additional hospital fees. When you call the hospital to schedule your appointment, you can ask about the cost of screening at their facility. If you have insurance, we encourage you to also speak with your insurance company about whether they cover screening.

Does insurance cover screening?

Most insurance plans cover lung cancer screening for people who are at high-risk for lung cancer. This insurance coverage webpage from ShouldIScreen.com gives you more information about how different types of insurance handle lung cancer screening. Because every insurance plan can be different, you should contact your insurance company to know what they will cover and if there will be any costs to you. This worksheet from the American Lung Association can help guide you through talking with your insurance company about lung cancer screening.

What if I don’t have insurance?

Talk with your doctor and with the hospital where you plan to get your CT scan done. Most hospitals have financial assistance programs to support patients who don’t have insurance. Here are the phone numbers for the financial assistance programs at a few hospitals where you might be thinking about getting screened:

Questions about quitting tobacco

 I want to quit tobacco. Where can I go for help?

Most Vermonters who smoke want to quit. You may be one of them, or know someone who is trying to quit tobacco. Although it can be hard, with the right tools and support, you can do it.

Research shows that it can take 8 to 11 tries before a successful quit. With each attempt, you learn something new about yourself and what makes it hard. 802Quits is here to support you in your attempt. 802Quits offers a friendly and experienced coach, free tips, tools, and support—including free patches and gum or lozenges. Visit 802Quits.org or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to get started.

Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer death in Vermont, but getting screened can save your life. Lung cancer screening can find cancer early, when it’s easier to treat. 

Lung cancer screening looks for lung cancer before you have symptoms. It involves a quick and painless CT scan (a special type of x-ray) that takes multiple pictures to help doctors get a good look at your lungs.

You should talk with your doctor about getting screened if:

Session 1

Understanding and Addressing Cancer Equity in Vermont 

Friday, April 1, 2022, 10 am – 12 pm 

Participants will learn about the 2025 Vermont Cancer Plan and become more educated on the disparities that exist in cancer diagnosis and treatment across historically underrepresented groups (i.e., BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Vermonters living with disabilities and low-income Vermonters) and the importance of cultural competence strategies in reducing health disparities.

Session Goals

1. Participants will learn about the 2025 Vermont Cancer Plan and its goals, objectives, and strategies to reduce the burden of cancer in Vermont.
2. Participants will learn about the cancer disparities that exist for underrepresented groups in Vermont, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, individuals living with disabilities, and low-income Vermonters.
3. Participants will learn about the efforts of the Vermont Department of Health to address health disparities and promote health equity in Vermont.
4. Participants will deepen their understanding of the critical issues and barriers affecting Vermonters with disabilities and how they can influence health disparities, through lived experience and advocacy work.5.Participants willdeepen their understanding of cultural competency in healthcare and learn about ways that individuals can apply these principles in their work.

The health equity training portion of this session will be facilitated by Robin R. Shabazz, Esq., Principal and Founder of the Eastledge Group, LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Session 2

Access to Cancer Care in Vermont 

Thursday, May 5, 2022, 10 am – 12 pm

Participants will learn about and discuss barriers faced by Vermonters in accessing cancer care, including transportation, financial burdens, and health care costs. This session will bring together a panel of survivors, caregivers, patient advocates, and transportation professionals, to highlight and discuss solutions to cancer care challenges experienced by cancer patients and their caregivers. 

Session Goals

1. Participants will explore the barriers to accessing health care in Vermont for cancer patients, including transportation, financial barriers, and health care costs. 
2. Participants will learn about the lived experience of cancer patients and their caregivers, through personal stories to understand the barriers and explore solutions to health care access in Vermont. 
3. Participants will learn about transportation gaps and programs and services in the state that are working to improve healthcare access for Vermonters.  

Session 3

Cancer Screening During Covid-19

Participants will hear from a panel of individuals with expertise and personal experience to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening in Vermont. The session will focus on the decrease in screenings, related barriers and strategies to increase screening rates.

Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer (VTAAC) offers the power of collaboration to what otherwise might be a lonely fight.

Created in 2005, VTAAC is responsible for putting the Vermont Cancer Plan into action by preventing overlap and directing resources to where they matter most in our state. Our activities are focused on reaching our ultimate goal: reducing the burden of cancer for all Vermonters.

VTAAC is a growing network of groups and individuals that speaks with one voice about reducing cancer risk, detecting cancers earlier, creating better access to quality cancer treatment, and improving the quality of life for cancer survivors.

We hope our site will be a resource for those seeking more information on cancer-related activities throughout the state.

Every Vermonter Can Take Action Against Cancer!

• Avoid all tobacco products and second-hand smoke.
• Support smoke-free environments.
• Eat a nutritious and balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight.
• Increase your daily physical activity.
• Reduce exposure to the sun and avoid indoor tanning.
• Have your home checked for radon gas.
• Talk to your health care provider about appropriate cancer screenings.

Calendar of Cancer Awareness