Be Sun Safe UVM Cancer Center

Skin Cancer Awareness & Prevention

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. 

 

Resources

Summer Safety Tips: From the Vermont Department of Health find some simple health and safety tips for summertime activities, includes free sunscreen dispenser locations.

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

All About Sunscreen: Q & A about sunscreen.

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

National Cancer Institute Skin Cancer Patient Information: Overview, treatment, causes, prevention as well as screening, statisitcs, and information on protecting your skin.

I have Cancer? A writer's personal journey and how it can help you. (with skin cancer)

Sun Safety Coloring Sheet PDF (coming soon!) 

Partnership Highlight Sun Safety

Partnership highlights

M&T Bank: Vermont City Marathon

To increase access to sunscreen during one of the busiest weekends in Vermont, presenting sponsor M&T Bank purchased two portable sunscreen dispensers for use by runners and community members during the Vermont City Marathon. M&T Bank also partnered with UVM Cancer Center to provide high quality dermatology-approved travel-sized sunscreen for runners to pick up at registration. 

Vermont Lake Monsters: Sun Safety at Vermont's Busiest Ballpark

In partnership with Impact Melanoma, UVM Cancer Center sponsored 6 sunscreen dispensers for the whole season in 2023, in 2024 Lake Monsters will continue the partnership with Impact Melanoma to offer free sunscreen to fans in attendance. Join the Lake Monsters and UVM Cancer Center as they celebrate all cancer types at the "Dig In" Against Cancer game on Sunday June 23rd. UVM Cancer Center community partners will be onsite to share resources available to cancer patients and their family members. Come early for your chance to snag a limited-edition bucket hat for sun protection. 

Vermont State Cancer Coalition: Sun Safety Taskforce

Together with Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer (VTAAC), Dartmouth Cancer Center, and IMPACT Melanoma, the nation’s leading non-profit dedicated to melanoma prevention and early detection the UVM Cancer Center re-launched the Vermont Community Sunscreen Dispenser Program. The program allows community-based organizations and non-profits to apply for a free sunscreen dispenser. The purpose of the free sunscreen stations is two-fold: to provide easy access to SPF 30 sunscreen as well as remind Vermont residents and visitors that sun protection is critical to their optimal health and sun safety is in their hands – quite literally.

Events

KidsFest: Celebrating Health and Safety
Date: Saturday, April 27
Location: Greater Burlington YMCA, 298 College Street Burlington, VT
Learn more

UVM Employee Wellness Spring Celebration
Date: Wednesday, May 1
Location: Osher Center for Integrative Health, 184 South Prospect Street
For UVM Employee's

Vermont City Marathon: Sports and Fitness Expo
Date: Friday May 24 - Saturday May 25
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington VT
Learn more

Relay for Life: American Cancer Society
Date: Friday June 7 - Saturday 8
Location: Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl Street Essex VT
Learn more

Lake Monsters: Dig In Against Cancer
Date: Sunday, June 23
Time: First pitch 5:05PM, Doors open at 4:00PM
Location: Centennial Field 98 University Road, Burlington VT
Purchase tickets

DoGood Fest: Non-profit vendor fair
Date: Saturday, July 13
Time: 12:00 - 8:00PM
Location: 1 National Life Dr, Montpelier, VT 
Reserve tickets and learn more

DragonBoat Festival: Non-profit vendor fair
Date: Sunday, August 4
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Burlington Waterfront Park
Learn more

Interested in learning more about UVM Cancer Center's Be Sun Safe campaign or want to partner!

Reach out to Assistant Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, Rachel Zwynenburg at Rachel.Zwynenburg@med.uvm.edu.