Community Outreach and Engagement
Understanding our catchment area.
Goal One
Assess the cancer burden and define the catchment area in Vermont and northern New York, and identify key cancer issues in the area.
Goal Two
Engage in evidence-based education and outreach efforts in collaboration with community stakeholders to reduce the cancer burden within the catchment area.
Goal Three
Promote research across the UVM Cancer Center that addresses key cancer issues within the catchment area, including collaboration with community stakeholders.
Cancer Risk Factors
Sources: Age and poverty - 2020 US Census Data, Smoking and obesity - US CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2021
Smoking
It is estimated that about 20% of all cancers and 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States are attributable to smoking. The rate of people who currently smoke is higher in our region (17.6%) compared to the United States (14.4%).
Poverty
People living in poverty are more likely to die from cancer. While our region has a lower poverty rate (9.7%) compared to the United States (11.6%), rates vary by county.
Age
Although cancer can be diagnosed at any age, cancer risk increases substantially in older adults, especially those over 60 years old. Our region has an older median population (43.1 years) compared to the United States, which has a median age of 38.8 years.
Obesity
Compared to those of normal weight, obese and overweight individuals are at increased risk for cancer. Although our region has a lower obesity rate (29.8%) than the United States (33.0%), rates vary by county.
Cancer Screening Rates
Source: US CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2020
Lung Screening
The percent of eligible adults with a history of smoking who met the recommended guidelines for lung cancer screening was only 26% in Vermont; rates were not available for the northern New York counties.
Colorectal Screening
The percent of eligible adults who met the recommended colorectal cancer screening guidelines was lower for all counties in our region compared to the US rate of 72.8%.
Cervical Screening
The percent of eligible women who met the recommended cervical cancer screening guidelines was higher for all counties in our region compared to the US rate of 78.0%.
Breast Screening
The percent of eligible people who received the recommended mammogram for breast cancer screening fell below the US rate of 78.2% for 19 of the 20 counties in our region.
Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Age-adjusted rates per 100,000 people
Data Source: SEER and NPCR Cancer Registries
Our Outreach Priorities
Lung cancer has one of the highest mortality rates in our catchment area.
UVM Cancer Center lung screenings are up 33%, but just 10% of high-risk Vermonters are being screened. Our lung screening program is working hard to increase that number through a robust public education campaign emphasizing the life-saving impact of early detection.
Vermont has the second highest melanoma rate in the country.
We're on a mission to protect people from the damaging impact of sun exposure. Our skin cancer outreach campaign aims to increase public awareness of the harmful effects of UV rays; educate about skin cancer prevention; and offer community-based skin cancer screening.
Breast cancer has the highest cancer incidence rate in our catchment area.
Early detection through regular screenings can help to find and treat breast cancer early, leading to better outcomes. Through partnerships with community organizations, UVM Cancer Center is making breast cancer screenings accessible to people across Vermont and northern New York, including traditionally underserved populations, such as New Americans and the unhoused.
Community Outreach & Education Team
Rachel Zwynenburg
Senior Cancer Outreach Program Director
Emma Vanacore, MPH
Community Outreach Specialist
Grace Ahmed
Cancer Data & Informatics Specialist