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Coalition Activities

Fourth Annual Oral Cancer Education and Screening Comes to Monmouth County

Monmouth Cancer Coalition sponsored its fourth annual FREE oral Cancer Screening at sites across Monmouth County on April 14, 2011.

Fourth Annual Oral Cancer Education and Screening Comes to Monmouth County

For a fourth year the Monmouth Cancer Coalition offered free oral cancer screenings to residents of Monmouth County in an effort to raise awareness about the risks of oral cancer and reduce mortality from the disease. On April 14, 2011 free oral cancer screening exams were available at sites throughout Monmouth County, including a senior center, hospitals, clinics and family practices. Approximately fifty individuals were screened.  Click here to see who was involved.


"New Jersey has a significantly higher risk of oral cancer than other states, and Monmouth County is higher than the average of New Jersey counties,” said Michael A. Meddis, MPH, Public Health Coordinator of the Monmouth County Health Department and Chair of the Monmouth Cancer Coalition's Work Group on Oral Cancer. "We believe that regular health screenings can make a big difference and that education about oral cancer is key to saving lives."
 
The campaign consists of two parts: (1) free oral cancer screenings, and (2) public education focusing on risk factors associated with oral cancer.   At designated sites, oral health professionals provided a free oral cancer screening exam- a simple test that can detect lesions or other signs of oral cancer. In addition, educational materials were available at senior centers, community health centers, health fairs and other county events.
 
Mr. Meddis and Dr. Kayvon Haghighi, an oral surgeon and a member of the Governor's Task Force on Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment of Cancer in New Jersey Workgroup on Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer led the initiative.   Dr. David Lederman, Chair of the Governor's Workgroup on Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer, and a Monmouth County resident, was also actively involved.  
 
The Monmouth Cancer Coalition is a volunteer organization comprised of representatives from the health and human service communities, education, business, faith-based organizations and the general public.    Its mission is to increase awareness, education and access to cancer screening and care through developing and sustaining collaborative relationships within the community for the purpose of reducing cancer morbidity and mortality in Monmouth   County.   The Coalition is funded by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Cancer Control & Prevention with Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey acting as grant recipient.  


For more information about the Oral Cancer Screening Initiative and the Monmouth Cancer Coalition, please contact the Coordinator at 732-418-3210 or pvirga@newsolutionsinc.com


Patricia H. Virga, Ph.D. is the Monmouth Cancer Coalition Coordinator.  She also serves as Vice President for Consulting Services at New Solutions, Inc., New Brunswick, New Jersey