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Public Health & Cancer Awareness

Each month, the UVM Cancer Center shares messages related to a cancer-specific health observance.

FEBRUARY: CANCER PREVENTION MONTH

Experts believe that up to 50% of cancers can be prevented. That’s because certain daily habits can make us more likely to get cancer. Changing these habits may help prevent cancer.

5 lifestyle changes that may reduce your cancer risk:

  • Quit smoking (802quits.org is Vermont's tobacco cessation resource. ). 
  • Make healthy food choices.
  • Get regular checkups & screenings.
  • Stay active.
  • Protect your skin with sun safe behaviors.

LEARN MORE

 

MARCH: COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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. 

VIEW RESOURCES

 

 

MAY: SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Did you know that Vermont has the second highest incident rate of melanoma in the U.S.?
May is skin cancer awareness month and by limiting sun exposure you can reduce your skin cancer risk.
Three Prevention Tips:

  1. Cover up. Wear wide-brimmed hats, sun-protective clothing and sunglasses.
  2. Stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. or seek shade.
  3. Wear sunscreen, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

Early detection promotes successful treatment, talk to your doctor about your screening options. 

Summer Safety Tips: Find some simple health and safety tips for summertime activities.

Something New Under The Sun: Learn about the signs of melanoma.

9 Things I'd Never Do As A Dermatologist: Summer's coming. How many of these ski 'don'ts' do you do?

 

SEPTEMBER: PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer. UVM Cancer Center clinical member, Shahid Ahmed, MD, MBBS, a medical oncologist specializes in cancers of the urinary system and the reproductive organs in men and provides an overview of diagnosis and tips to manage treatment side effects in this Healthsource article. 

READ ARTICLE

 

OCTOBER: BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

25th Annual Women's Health and Cancer Conference: View recordings of presentations and panels about surgical options, survivorship, integrative care, palliative care, and breakthrough advances in the research.

Breast Cancer Portfolio: Learn more about the UVM Cancer Center's research, education, community outreach, and clinical care related to breast cancer.

Clinical Trials: See what clinical trials are being offered related to breast cancer.

Genetic Testing for Cancer and Risk Assessment: Learn about the team of clinicians who provide genetic screening and risk assessment.

Screening Guidelines: The American Cancer Society recommends these screening guidelines. 

Breast Cancer Screening: Reach out to your primary care provider or the Breast Care Center if you are due for a screening.

Support Services: There are many resources for patients in treatment or patients who have completed their treatment, including support groups and the popular Steps to Wellness class. 

 

NOVEMBER: LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Lung Cancer Public Health Campaign. The UVM Cancer Center teamed up with Dartmouth Cancer Center and Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer to encourage more Vermonters to get screened for lung cancer. When detected early, local tumors can be removed which increases the patient's survival rate from 24% to 60%.

Learn more about:

  • Guidelines
  • Screening locations in Vermont
  • Eligibility requirements

VIEW CAMPAIGN

Lung Cancer Research. Learn more about the Cunniff lab's promising new therapy for mesothelioma and metastatic cancer, which is currently a Phase I clinical trial. 

Clinical Trials: See what clinical trials are being offered related to lung cancer.

WCAX Highlights Holcombe's Welcome of H.S. Students to Careers in Cancer Event

April 12, 2024 by Lucy Gardner Carson

(APRIL 12, 2024) UVM Cancer Center director Randall Holcombe, M.D., M.B.A., welcomed more than 75 students from five Burlington-area high schools to the second Careers in Cancer event at the UVM Cancer Center on April 12, WCAX-TV reported.

Randall Holcombe, M.D., M.B.A., professor of medicine, chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology, and director of the UVM Cancer Center

(APRIL 12, 2024) Randall Holcombe, M.D., M.B.A., professor of medicine, chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology, and director of the UVM Cancer Center, welcomed more than 75 students from five Burlington-area high schools to the second Careers in Cancer event at the UVM Cancer Center on April 12, WCAX-TV reported.

Area high school students interested in a career in health care had the opportunity to talk with student researchers and scientists, allowing them to step out of the classroom and into a real medical lab. They looked at cancer cells, observed specialized lab equipment, and witnessed demonstrations on growing and visualizing crystals to understand protein structures. They also heard from guest speakers and learned about career and research pathways in oncology.

“Students have been walking through the basic research laboratories. This is something that they really don’t get exposed to in their high school education,” said Holcombe.

Holcombe was pleased with the interest the Careers in Cancer event generated among the high school students who participated. “There’s a critical shortage of cancer doctors across the country, and that is particularly severe in states with very large rural populations like Vermont,” he said.

This event was also covered by WVNY-TV.

Read full story at WCAX-TV