1. Monitoring Cancer in Vermont: Are We Reducing the Burden?
Allison Verbyla MPH CPH, Public Health Analyst II
Department of Health Surveillance, Vermont Department of Health

2. Outline Cancer Incidence and Mortality Preventive Behaviors
Cancer Screening
Cancer Survivorship
Vermont Cancer Plan
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018

3. Cancer Incidence and Mortality

4. Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Which cancers have the highest incidence rates in Vermont? How does Vermont compare to the United States?
Which cancers are the most fatal in Vermont?
Which cancers are found at an advanced stage in Vermont?
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018

5. Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Page 63 of Vital Statistics Report
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: Vital Statistics, 2016

6. Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Incidence and Mortality Brief
Note: All rates are age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source:
VT Vital Statistics,

7. Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Incidence and Mortality Brief
Note: All rates are age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source:
VCR

8. Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Cancer Plan Status Report Data
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Note: Cervical cancers diagnosed as in situ are not reported to the Cancer Registry and are therefore not included in this chart. Stage of disease at diagnosis is SEER Summary Stage.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source:
VCR

9. Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Cancer Plan Status Report Data
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source:
VCR

10. Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Cancer Plan Status Report Data
7 Stage of disease at diagnosis is SEER Summary Stage
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source:
VCR

11. Preventive Behaviors

12. What Causes Cancer?
Other causes of cancer include viruses, family history of cancer, reproductive factors, prescription drugs or medical procedures, and environmental pollution.
Data Brief on Cancer
Source: Cancer Causes Control April; 23(4): 601–608. doi: /s y.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018

13. Preventive Behaviors What can one do to lower the risk of cancer?
Do not smoke
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
Eat a healthy diet
Protect yourself from the sun
Protect yourself from infections
Get screening tests regularly
Data Brief journal article from Cancer Causes and Control
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018

14. Cancer Related Preventive Behaviors Physical Activity
Percent of Adults that Met the Aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines by County
(2013 and 2015)
In Vermont, 59% of the population met the recommended aerobic physical activity guidelines (2015). The U.S. had a lower percentage of the population (51%) that engaged in adequate aerobic physical activity (2015).
Cancer Data Pages
Note: All rates are age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: BRFSS
VT: Statewide 2015, Counties 2013 and 2015, US: 2015

15. Cancer Related Preventive Behaviors HPV Vaccination - Males
Percent of Adolescent Males (Ages 13-17) Who Are Current on HPV Vaccinations (2016)
Among Vermont adolescent males ages 13-17
51% have completed the full HPV vaccine series (2016).
Cancer Data Pages
Notes: Adolescents included were born January 1998 through February 2004.
Excludes adolescents with no reported immunizations in at least 10 years.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: IMR, 2016

16. Cancer Related Preventive Behaviors HPV Vaccination - Females
Percent of Adolescent Females (Ages 13-17) Who Are Current on HPV Vaccine Series (2016)
Among Vermont adolescent females ages 13-17
60% have completed the full HPV vaccine series (2016).
Cancer Data Pages
Notes: Adolescents included were born January 1998 through February 2004.
Excludes adolescents with no reported immunizations in at least 10 years.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: IMR, 2016

17. Preventive Behaviors Percent of adults that are obese (ages 20+)
VT: 28%
Percent of adults that are current cigarette smokers
VT: 18%
Percent of adults eating the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables
VT: Fruits 32%, Vegetables 20%
Percent of adolescents in grades 9-12 eating the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables
VT: Fruits 33%, Vegetables 18%
Significant decrease in fruit consumption
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: BRFSS
VT: Statewide 2016, Counties 2015 and 2016

18. Cancer Screening

19. Cancer Screening
What are the current screening rates for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers in Vermont? How do these rates differ by county?
What are some disparities that exist in cancer screening rates?
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018

20. Cervical Cancer Screening National, Statewide, and County Rates
3 Year Pap Screening Rates by County (Women Age 21-65; 2012 and 2014)
Nationally, the 3 year Pap test rate among women aged was 82%, which was lower than the 86% screening rate in Vermont (2014). Due to a difference in how the cervical cancer questions were asked in 2016**, 2014 and 2016 data could not be combined.
** sub-state not available because we can’t combine years for 2016 and 2014
Cancer Data Pages
Screening guidelines:
Cervical Cancer Screening
-The USPSTF currently recommends screening for cervical cancer every 3 years with cervical cytology (Pap test) alone in females ages 21 to 29 years. For females ages 30 to 65 years, the USPSTF recommends screening every 3 years with cervical cytology alone, every 5 years with high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing alone, or every 5 years with hrHPV testing in combination with cytology (co-testing).
-Previous USPSTF recommendation included cervical cytology every 3 years for females ages
Note: All rates are age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
**Usually women who have had a hysterectomy are excluded from cervical cancer screening calculations.  In 2016, women 45‐65 were not asked whether they’ve had a hysterectomy, and as such the proportion meeting Pap test screening recommendations is underestimated.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: BRFSS
VT: Statewide 2014, Counties 2012 and 2014, US: 2014

21. Breast Cancer Screening National, Statewide, and County Rates
Breast Cancer Screening Rates by County (Women Age 50-74; 2014 and 2016)
Nationally, the breast cancer screening rate among women aged years was 78% (2016). Vermont’s screening rate was similar to the national rate (79%, 2016). Compared to the overall screening rate in Vermont, breast cancer screening rates by county were similar (2014 and 2016).
Cancer Data Pages
Screening guidelines:
Breast Cancer Screening
-The USPSTF currently recommends biennial screening mammography for women ages 50 to 74 years.
Note: All rates are age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: BRFSS
VT: Statewide 2016, Counties 2014 and 2016, US: 2016

22. Breast Cancer Screening Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Racial and ethnic minorities in Vermont had a lower breast cancer screening rate (70%, 2014 and 2016) compared to racial and ethnic minorities nationally (81%, 2016). White non-Hispanics in Vermont, however, had a similar screening rate (79%, 2014 and 2016) compared to white non-Hispanics nationally (77%, 2016).
Cancer Data Pages
Note: All rates are age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: BRFSS
Vermont 2014 and 2016; U.S. 2016

23. Breast Cancer Screening Education and Federal Poverty Level
Women with a college degree were more likely to have met breast cancer screening guidelines in comparison to women with a high school diploma or less (2014 and 2016). The breast cancer screening rate was lower among those below 250% of the federal poverty level compared to those at or above 250% of the federal poverty level (2016).
Cancer Data Pages
Notes: All rates are age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
Federal poverty level (FPL) is a federal measure calculated from both annual household income and family size. FPL is used to determine eligibility for government assistance programs. People living below 250% FPL, for example, are still considered low income, often lacking sufficient income to meet basic needs.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: BRFSS
Education: 2014 and 2016, FPL: 2016

24. Breast Cancer Screening Health Care Access
Vermont women aged were less likely to have reported being screened for breast cancer if they did not have health insurance than those who had health insurance (2014 and 2016). Similarly, Vermont women aged were less likely to have reported being screened for breast cancer if they did not have a primary care provider compared to those with a primary care provider (2014 and 2016).
Cancer Data Pages
Note: Rates for screening by primary care provider are age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: BRFSS, 2014 and 2016

25. Colorectal Cancer Screening National, Statewide, and County Rates
Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates by County (Adults Age 50-75; 2014 and 2016)
Nationally, the colorectal cancer screening rate among men and women aged years is 67% (2016). Vermont had a higher screening rate of 72% (2016).
When broken down by the specific colorectal cancer screening tests, of the Vermont men and women aged ,
5% had a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) in the past year
< 1% had a sigmoidoscopy in the past five years and a FOBT in the past three years
70% had a colonoscopy in the past 10 years (2016).
This is different compared to the breakdown by type of screening nationally,
11% had a FOBT in the past year
63% had a colonoscopy in the past 10 years (2016).
Cancer Data Pages
Screening Guidelines:
Colorectal Cancer Screening
-The USPSTF currently recommends colonoscopy every 10 years or a stool test every 1 to 3 years or sigmoidoscopy every 5 years (or 10 years with annual stool test) or CT Colonography every 5 years.
Lung Cancer Screening
-The USPSTF recommends that individuals ages with a 30 pack-year smoking history that are either current smokers or have quit within the past 15 years should have an annual lung cancer screening exam using low-dose computed tomography (CT).
Note: All rates are age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: BRFSS
VT: Statewide 2016, Counties 2014 and 2016, US: 2016

26. Cancer Survivorship

27. Cancer Survivorship
What is the quality of life of cancer survivors in Vermont?
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018

28. Health Disparities between Cancer Survivors and Those Never Diagnosed with Cancer Quality of Life
A smaller percentage of adult Vermont cancer survivors reported their general health as good to excellent (70%), compared to Vermont adults who had never been diagnosed with cancer (89%, ). In addition, adult cancer survivors reported their general health as poor or fair at a higher rate (10% poor, 19% fair) than adults who had never been diagnosed with cancer (3% poor, 8% fair, ). ✓
Cancer Data Pages Vermont Department of Health
Data Source: BRFSS
General Health , Emotional Support 2014 and 2016

29. Health Disparities between Cancer Survivors and Those Never Diagnosed with Cancer Quality of Life: Mental Health by Age
A higher percentage of cancer survivors reported poor mental health on 14 or more days during the past month than did individuals never diagnosed with cancer ( ). When broken down by age, a greater percentage of Vermont cancer survivors ages and reported having poor mental health on at least 14 days of the previous month than those never diagnosed with cancer ( ).
Cancer Data Pages
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: BRFSS,

30. Vermont Cancer Plan

31. Vermont Cancer Plan Which objectives have improved since 2015?
Which objectives need improvement?
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018

32. Vermont Cancer Plan Improvements Made
Objective 2.2 Decrease % of adolescents in grades 9-12 who smoke cigarettes.
 From 11% to 9%
Objective 5.3 Increase % of adolescents ages who have started the HPV series by 15.
 From 36% to 52%
Objective 10.2 Decrease % of lung cancers diagnosed at an advanced stage among adults 55+.
 From 80% to 74%
Objective 15.1 Increase % of cancer patients treated by Commission on Cancer (CoC)-accredited cancer programs who have received survivorship care plans.
 From 2% to 54%
Cancer Plan Status Report
Other increases
HPV – 5.3 Increase the percentage of adolescents who have started the HPV series by 15.
Dental use – 3.2 Increase percentage of children in grades K-12 who use the dental system yearly.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: YRBS, 2015; VCR ; IMR, 2017

33. Vermont Cancer Plan Needs Improvement
Objective 2.3 Increase % of adult smokers attempting to quit in the past year.
 From 59% to 49%
Objective 16.1 Decrease % if adult cancer survivors reporting poor mental health most days
 From 11% to 18%
Cancer Plan Status Report
Indicators that need improvement – referenced earlier in presentation
Adult smokers attempting to quit in the past year
Adolescent fruit consumption
Rate of invasive melanoma
Adult survivors who have poor mental health most days
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018
Data Source: BRFSS, 2016

34. Data Notes Cancer Data Pages
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS): Vermont tracks risk behaviors using this telephone survey of adults. The results are used to plan, support, and evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs. Since 1990, Vermont, along with the 49 other states and three territories, has participated in the BRFSS with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over 7,000 Vermonters are randomly and anonymously selected and called annually. An adult (18 or older) in the household is asked a uniform set of questions. The results are weighted to represent the adult population of the state. Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS): Every two years since 1993, the Department of Health's Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program, and the Department of Education's Coordinated School Health Programs have sponsored the YRBS. The YRBS measures the prevalence of behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disease, and injury among youth. The YRBS is part of a larger effort to help communities increase the “resiliency” of young people by reducing high risk behaviors and promoting healthy behaviors. Vermont Immunization Registry (IMR): A confidential system for maintaining immunization records for all Vermont residents and those who seek medical care in Vermont. It was designed, developed, and is operated by the Vermont Department of Health, and was first made available to providers in July, It receives immunization data from medical providers, hospitals, health insurers, and increasingly, from pharmacies and nursing homes. The advantage of using the IMR for immunization data is that unlike survey information, it is much more comprehensive, and is not subject to selection bias. As is the case with any large database, the IMR has its limitations. It can be very difficult to keep up with the residences of all these individuals, resulting in a larger population base in the registry than actually live in the state of Vermont. As a result, our denominator can be too large, and this is especially true for older age groups. Vermont Cancer Registry (VCR): The Vermont Cancer Registry (VCR) is Vermont’s statewide population-based cancer surveillance system. The registry collects information about all cancers (except non-melanoma skin cancers and carcinoma in situ of the cervix) and all benign brain tumors diagnosed in Vermont. All statistics exclude in situ carcinomas except urinary bladder, unless indicated otherwise. Vermont cases include Vermont residents only. NPCR and SEER Incidence Database (NPCR & SEER): The U.S. incidence rates are based on the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program Incidence State Restricted Access Data File ( ). A reporting delay by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has resulted in incomplete reporting of VA hospital cases in 2011 through Age Adjustment: Measures from BRFSS and YRBS are adjusted for age only if they are Healthy Vermonters 2020 goals. Age adjustment groupings come from those determined by Healthy People Confidence Intervals used for statistical comparisons: A confidence interval represents the range in which a parameter estimate could fall which is calculated based on the observed data. For this analysis, we used a 95% confidence interval, meaning that we are 95% confident that the true value of the parameter being examined falls within the specified confidence interval. Statistical significance is assessed by comparing the confidence intervals of different groups. If the confidence intervals from two groups, such as that for the state and a specific county, do not overlap we consider the estimates to be significantly different from one another.
Cancer Data Pages
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018

35. Data Notes
Preventive Behaviors: An activity undertaken by a person in order to prevent disease in an asymptomatic stage. Health Education Monographs December; 2(4): doi: / Cancer Causes Control April; 23(4): 601–608. doi: /s y. Health Insurance: Comparisons between those with and without health insurance are always limited to those below age 65 since all Americans above age 65 are eligible for health insurance via Medicare. Education: Comparisons among those with different levels of education are always limited to those aged 25 and older since many adults under age 25 are in the process of obtaining additional education. Federal poverty level (FPL): is a federal measure calculated from both annual household income and family size. FPL is used to determine eligibility for government assistance programs. People living below 250% FPL, for example, are still considered low income, often lacking sufficient income to meet basic needs. * HPV‐associated cancers: These cancers were coded using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 3rd Edition [ICD‐0‐3]. Cervix (ICD‐O‐3 site codes C53.0–C53.9) and were limited to carcinomas (ICD‐O‐3 histology codes 8010–8671, 8940–8941), Vagina (ICD‐O‐3 site code C52.9), vulva (ICD‐O‐3 site codes C51.0–C51.9), penis (ICD‐O‐3 site codes C60.0–60.9), anus (ICD‐O‐3 site code C21.0–C21.9, C20.9), and oropharyngeal (ICD‐O‐3 site codes C01.9, C02.4, C02.8, C05.1‐C05.2, C09.0‐C09.1, C09.8‐C09.9, C10.0‐C10.9, C14.0, C14.2 and C14.8). Cancer sites were limited to squamous cell carcinomas (ICD‐O‐3 histology codes 8050–8084, 8120– 8131). Acknowledgement: This publication was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number NU58DP from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018

36. Contact Information
For additional information, please contact:
Allison Verbyla, MPH
Public Health Analyst II
Vermont Department of Health
(802)
Jennifer Kachajian, MA, MPH
Public Health Analyst III
(802)
Vermont Department of Health
September 2018