Cancer Surveillance and Reporting

Cancer is a group of more than 100 diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Different types of cancers have different causes, and different rates of occurrence and survival. Therefore, different types of cancers in a community or workplace do not necessarily have the same cause.

Cancer develops gradually as a result of a complex mix of factors related to lifestyle choices, environment and genetics. Environmental agents are estimated to account for roughly four percent of cancer cases. Nearly two-thirds of cancer deaths in the U.S. can be linked to tobacco use, poor diet, obesity, and lack of exercise.

A risk factor is a condition, an activity, or an exposure that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Different kinds of cancers have different risk factors. However, people with known risk factors may never develop cancer, and many people who develop cancer have none of the known risk factors. The exact causes of many cancers are unknown, and research continues to examine how and why normal cellular growth becomes uncontrolled.

Cancer is, unfortunately, very common. Roughly four out of ten men and women will develop cancer in their lifetime. Anyone can develop cancer; however, the risk of being diagnosed with cancer increases with age and most cancers occur in adults who are middle age or older.

If you have any questions about cancer or cancer data, please contact Jennifer Kachajian at jennifer.kachajian@vermont.gov.

Chronic disease is the health challenge of the 21^st century. Many chronic diseases, including cancer, are preventable. Cancer is one of the 4 diseases resulting from the 3 behaviors, which results in over 50% of deaths in Vermont. Learn more about 3-4-50.

These reports contain information about cancer risk factors, prevention, screening, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and survivorship. Vermont planners, policy makers, researchers, and citizens use these data for analysis, planning and action.

We acknowledge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its support of the Vermont Cancer Registry under cooperative agreement NU58DP006322 awarded to the Vermont Department of Health. The findings and conclusions in this website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.