Breast cancer survivor Agnes Judge (left) with clinical breast oncologist and cancer geneticist Kara Landry, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine

(JANUARY 8, 2025) Clinical breast oncologist and cancer geneticist Kara Landry, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine and a medical oncologist at UVMMC, spoke with NBC5 for a story about a breast cancer survivor’s visit to Vermont.

After visiting cancer centers in 49 states, Agnes Judge wrapped up her nationwide tour in Vermont. The University of Vermont Medical Center officially marked Judge’s 50th and final stop on her 19-month mission to promote the importance of breast cancer screenings.

“I thought that a cancer diagnosis was the end of my life,” Judge said. “It’s not. Cancer is a diagnosis, not a death sentence.”

When it comes to testing for breast cancer, specifically, Landry says there are a few things to know about when to start screening and what kind you need. “You know, in the general population, that might be starting at age 40 with annual mammograms.” Yet, if you have breast cancer in your family history, Landry said you may want to start testing earlier and with more intensive screening like an MRI.