Updated: February 2023

Author: Cancer Program, Vermont Department of Health

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer among females in the United States (after skin cancer). In 2015-2019, an average of 569 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed among Vermont females every year, and an average of 83 Vermont females died from breast cancer (Data Source: Vermont Cancer Registry). If a female has a family history of breast cancer or is concerned about her risk for developing the disease, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) encourages her to talk about her risks with a health care professional. Her doctor or nurse may consider using a formal breast cancer risk assessment tool to learn more. This kind of tool looks at a variety of factors, including the woman’s:

• Age
• Race or ethnicity
• Age at her first period
• Age when she had her first child
• Medical history of breast cancer or abnormal cells in the milk glands or ducts
• Family history of breast cancer
• Personal history of hormone use or breast biopsy (removing a small amount of tissue to test cells for cancer)
• Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, and diet
• Screening tests, like mammography, help detect breast cancer early, but they can’t prevent cancer from developing.

Between 2000 and 2012 there was no significant, measurable trend in the percentage of Vermont women ages 50-74 who were up-to-date on breast screening.  Since 2014, however, the rate has slowly decreased.  The 2018 rate, 77%, was significantly lower than the 2012.   

Cancer screening, including mammograms, both in the US and in Vermont plunged drastically in 2020 due to Covid.  The rate of females meeting the breast cancer screening recommendations in Vermont in 2020, 74%, was not significantly lower than the 2018 rate, but the 2020 rate includes females who were screened up to 2 years prior to 2020.  It is likely screening rates in 2022, the next time data for this indicator will be available, will be low, depending on how quickly Vermonters returned to screening.

This indicator is part of Healthy Vermonters 2020 (the State Health Assessment) that documents the health status of Vermonters at the start of the decade and the population health indicators and goals that guided the work of public health through 2020.

This indicator is also aligned with the Healthy People 2020 developmental objective C-17 which is to “increase the proportion of women who receive a breast cancer screening based on the most recent guidelines” (http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/cancer/objectives).

It was also included as an objective in the 2020 Vermont State Cancer Plan as well as the current 2025 Vermont Cancer Plan.

Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer (VTAAC)

Vermont Department of Health Offices of Local Health

American Cancer Society

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

University of Vermont Cancer Center

American Lung Association

The number of new cancer cases can be reduced, and many cancer deaths can be prevented through a comprehensive strategy:

• Prevention of cancer through promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors (tobacco prevention, increased physical activity, improved nutrition, sun safety) and vaccinations (such as for human papilloma virus (HPV)).
• Early detection of cancer through screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, skin and lung cancers, to find these diseases at an early stage when treatment works best.
• Effective treatment of cancer to result in better outcomes and decreased mortality.

Within each of these categories there are many proven approaches that decrease cancer incidence and mortality. A comprehensive approach focusing on cancer prevention, early detection and treatment is the most effective way to impact cancer mortality outcomes in Vermont.

The 2025 Vermont Cancer Plan, published by the Vermont Department of Health Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and statewide cancer coalition Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer (VTAAC), provides a strategic roadmap for reducing the burden of cancer in Vermont. The plan includes measurable objectives as priorities for action in the following areas:

• Health Equity
• Cancer Prevention
• Cancer Early Detection
• Cancer Directed Therapy & Supportive Care
• Survivorship & Advanced Care Planning

Through the Vermont Cancer Plan, the Department of Health focuses and prioritizes the numerous efforts carried out statewide to reduce behaviors that are cancer risk factors, increase early detection of cancers, and provide access to quality cancer treatment for all Vermonters. The combined work of these Departmental Programs and partners influences the overall burden of cancer in Vermont.

Data is updated as it becomes available, and timing may vary by data source. For more information about this indicator, click here.

This indicator is age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. In U.S. data, age adjustment is used for comparison of regions with varying age breakdowns. In order to remain consistent with the methods of comparison at a national level, some statistics in Vermont were age adjusted. The estimates were adjusted based on the proportional age breakdowns of the U.S. population in 2000. For more detailed information on age adjustment visit /www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/statnt/statnt20.pdf.

Due to BRFSS weighting methodology changes beginning in 2011, comparisons between data collected in 2011 and later and that from 2010 and earlier should be made with caution. Differences between data from 2011 forward and earlier years may be due to methodological changes, rather than changes in opinion or behavior.