Welcome to the High Risk Breast Program of Vermont’s website.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the United States (other than skin cancer) and is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. In 2008, it is estimated that 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women and approximately 40,480 women are expected to die from breast cancer.(1) In Vermont, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women with about 482 cases diagnosed each year. Approximately 96 women in Vermont die of breast cancer each year. The incidence rates of breast cancer in Addison and Chittenden counties are significantly higher than the national rates.(2)

Prevention, screening and early detection are the best ways to help reduce these statistics. In 2003, the High Risk Breast Program of Vermont (HRBP) was founded by Dr. Marie Wood as a grass roots effort to implement a clinical program with a research focus. Today, over 400 women throughout the region participate in the HRBP. The HRBP is based within the Breast Care Center (BCC) and the Vermont Cancer Center (VCC) at the University of Vermont and Fletcher Allen Health Care.

1 American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2007-2008. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, Inc.
2 Vermont Department of Health. Breast Cancer in Vermont, 2006.