Coalition Activities
Third Annual Oral Cancer Education and Screening Comes to Monmouth County
Monmouth Cancer Coalition sposored its Third Annual Oral Cancer Education and Screening Initiative April 15 through 21, 2010. Monmouth County residents received free oral cancer screening exam at over forty locations.
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 Caner, 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.