Public Health & Cancer Awareness

CANCER PREVENTION

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

 

COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS

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

 

SKIN CANCER AWARENESS: "BE SUN SAFE" 

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?

 

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

 

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

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. 

 

LUNG CANCER AWARENESS: "GET CHECKED, IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE"

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.

News Headlines:

Chris Holmes, M.D., Ph.D. appointed Medical Director for Cancer Clinical Programs at the UVM Health Network

July 23, 2024 by Kate Strotmeyer

Chris Holmes, M.D., Ph.D.

The University of Vermont (UVM) Cancer Center and the UVM Health Network is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Holmes, M.D., Ph.D. as Medical Director for Cancer Clinical Programs. Dr. Holmes, a Professor of Medicine at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine, is currently Deputy Division Chief for Hematology/Oncology at the University of Vermont Cancer Center. 

In her new role as Medical Director, Dr. Holmes will work closely with Kevin Vest, M.B.A. Network Vice President Cancer Clinical Programs, UVM Cancer Center Director, Randall Holcombe, M.D., M.B.A. as well as providers and leaders across multiple departments and divisions to coordinate cancer care across the network and ensure the highest quality of cancer care for patients.  Dr. Holmes succeeds H. James Wallace, M.D. who stepped down from this role on July 1.

“Dr. Holmes’ will be instrumental in enabling the University of Vermont Cancer Center to achieve its goals of exceptional clinical oncology care across all network sites,” said Dr. Holcombe. “Dr Holmes’ clinical and research experience make her uniquely situated for this leadership role. I look forward to working with her to further integrate our cancer clinical services to benefit patients and caregivers.” 

During her 24 years at UVM, Dr. Holmes has held many leadership positions. She is currently Deputy Division Chief for Hematology/Oncology, leader of the Hematologic Malignancies Transdisciplinary Team, and Medical Director of the Vermont Regional Hemophilia Treatment Center which serves the UVM Health Network, the state of Vermont, and Northern New York.  Dr. Holmes previously served in multiple roles for the UVM Cancer Center including interim co-director, deputy director, and associate director for clinical and translational research.  

“This is an exciting time of opportunity for cancer care in our health network,” said Dr. Holmes. “I am looking forward to continuing to work collaboratively across our sites to achieve our shared goal of compassionately delivering world class cancer care close to home for our patients in Vermont and northern New York.” 

Dr. Holmes received her Ph.D. and M.D. degrees from the University of Virginia and completed a residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the University of Vermont.  She was appointed as a faculty member in 2004. 

Dr. Holmes’ research program is focused on developing evidence-based, clinical interventions to reduce venous thrombosis and bleeding complications and improve mortality in patients with cancer. Her work has led to numerous high-impact publications and has been supported by funding from several sources, most recently an R21 grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Holmes brings extensive leadership experience in collaborative clinical and research initiatives to her new role, which she began on July 1, 2024.