For Immediate Release:
April 30, 2013
Free oral screenings in Monmouth County
Ocean Monmouth Health Alliance offers free oral cancer screening
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Ocean Monmouth Health Alliance will sponsor its sixth annual oral cancer screening event to raise awareness about risks of oral cancer and reduce mortality from the disease.
Free oral cancer screening exams will be available to residents of Monmouth and Ocean counties during the month of May. Screenings will be held at several venues including senior centers, residential treatment centers, hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices.
“New Jersey has a significantly higher risk of oral cancer than other states,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to the Monmouth County Health Department. “Individuals should be aware of the risks of oral cancer and screened on a regular basis.”
At designated sites, an oral health professional will conduct an oral cancer screening exam for adults. This is a simple test that can detect lesions or other signs of oral cancer.
“I encourage residents to take advantage of these free oral cancer screenings happening all over Monmouth County,” said Michael A. Meddis, Public Health Coordinator for the Monmouth County Health Department. “With so many locations, everyone should be able to find a site close to home.”
The Monmouth County Health Department will offer free oral cancer screenings on May 13 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 3435 Highway 9 North in Freehold.
The Oral Health Screening Initiative kicked off with screenings at Community Medical Center in April, with most sites offering screenings in May. Other sites, including Monmouth Medical Center, CentraState Health Awareness Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, JSAS Healthcare, local senior centers and community health centers will provide informational brochures and show an educational video by the Ocean Monmouth Health Alliance.
A screening site list and schedule may be found at http://www.oceanmonmouth.org/.
For more information about the Oral Cancer Screening Initiative and the Ocean Monmouth Health Alliance please visit http://www.oceanmonmouth.org/ or contact the Coordinator at 732-286-3693 or dlevinson.omha@gmail.com.
Click
here for a list of oral screening locations.
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