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Be Sun Safe Campaign

Did you know that Vermont has one of the highest incidence rates of melanoma in the U.S.?

By limiting sun exposure you can reduce your skin cancer risk.

Early detection promotes successful treatment, talk to your doctor about your screening options. 

Effects of the sun

Effects of the sun

  • Just one episode of sunburn, especially in childhood, doubles the lifetime risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.
  • Snow reflects up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays back to you.
  • Up to 80% of the sun’s rays can penetrate clouds
  • The sun can cause cancer, wrinkles and age spots, even when it’s cold or overcast.
  • Exposing the eyes to too much sun over time can lead to cataracts.

5 Winter Prevention Tips

Child covered up for winter activities

Tip #1: Cover Up

Wear wide-brimmed hats, gloves and long sleeves.
Teen applying sunscreen on a sunny day in winter

Tip #2: Use Sunscreen

with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher on exposed skin.
Elder women applying chapstick in winter months

Tip #3: Apply lip balm

with SPF, and reapply every 2 hours.
Male skier wearing goggles and helmet

Tip #4: Wear sunglasses or goggles

with UVA and UVB protection.
Women putting hands up to avoid photo

Tip #5: Avoid indoor tanning

use has been linked with an increased risk of melanoma.

Resources

Partnership Highlights

M&T Bank

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¶¶Òõ̽̽ Cancer Center branded sunscreen, pair of sunglasses, and some purple cowbells on a table

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 . M&T Bank also partnered with ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Cancer Center to provide high quality dermatology-approved travel-sized sunscreen for runners to pick up at registration. 


 

Vermont Lake Monsters

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Girl in chair at Lake Monsters game wears hat, sunglasses, and shirt to illustrate sun safety tips.

In partnership with Impact Melanoma, ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Cancer Center sponsored 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 ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Cancer Center as they celebrate all cancer types at the Dig In Against Cancer game on Sunday June 23rd. ¶¶Òõ̽̽ 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

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Green and gold sunscreen dispenser.

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 ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Cancer Center re-launched the . 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.

PC Construction & Beta Technology

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Travel size SPF 30 branded with the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Cancer Center logo, construction workers in the background

Over 150 constructor workers, who have an increased risk of melanoma due to sun exposure, received free sun screen and early detection resources.

Dragonboat Fest Vermont

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Dermatology residents Mark Derbyshire, M.D., and Sabrina Bennet, M.D. smile for a photo with Division director Joseph Pierson, M.D., professor of medicine.

¶¶Òõ̽̽ faculty joined the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Cancer Center community outreach and engagement team at the at the Burlington waterfront on August 4. Division director Joseph Pierson, M.D., professor of medicine, Mary Maloney, M.D., clinical professor of medicine, and dermatology residents Sabrina Bennet, M.D. and Mark Derbyshire, M.D., volunteered their time to provide free skin checks to more than 70 people.

Cancer Center staff including Rachel Zwynenburg, assistant director of community outreach and engagement, spoke to festivalgoers and handed out free sunscreen, sunglasses, and educational literature!

Pride Center of Vermont

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We take pride in our health banner at the Burlington Vermont pride parade

LGBTQIA+ Vermonters have a higher cancer burden. As co-sponsors of this year's Pride parade, the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Cancer Center joined partners across the to provide screening and prevention information along with bucket hats and sunscreen at the parade.

For questions about the sun safety program, please contact Rachel Zwynenburg, Senior Cancer Outreach Program Director (Rachel.Zwynenburg@med.uvm.edu).