News from the Public
Information Contacts: Linda Van Zandt / Joanne Vuoso / Lisa Krueger 908.231.7020 publicinfo@co.somerset.nj.us ______________________________________________________________________
October 29, 2009
November
is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Cancer
Coalition activities planned
“We are committed to increasing awareness about lung
cancer," said Freeholder Deputy Director Jack M. Ciattarelli, health
department liaison. “It's critically
important that we not only recognize the dangers of smoking and second-hand
smoke, but do something about them. Equally important is the need to
detect cancer at earlier, less dangerous stages and decrease exposure to radon
to reduce the incidence of lung cancer, especially in children."
Radon is the leading
cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second- leading cause of lung cancer
in general. For smokers, the risk of
developing lung cancer is increased dramatically if they also are exposed to
excess radon. According to the SCCC,
lung and bronchus cancers are the No. 1 cause of cancer-related fatalities in
The Somerset County
Health Department will be offering radon kits to residents at a reduced rate of
$5, starting in November. Residents can contact the health department
at 908-231-7155 or via e-mail at health@co.somerset.nj.us for more information.
Also, Somerset
Medical Center (SMC), a SCCC partner, with funding from the N.J. Department of
Environmental Protection, will be offering free radon kits to new mothers and
homeowners. The kits will be given to
expectant mothers taking maternal-child health classes at the hospital.
Additionally, the medical center’s HealthTalk TV show
will feature lung cancer and smoking cessation topics throughout November. The show is on Piscataway Community
Television and may be seen on Channel 15 on Cablevision and Channel 40 on Verizon Fios. The show will air Mondays
at 1 p.m., Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.
Also,
The Somerset Council on Alcohol
and Drug Dependency (SCADD), another Coalition member, will be at the SMC display
to introduce
the Helpers Program, which is open to teens
and adults. The program offers information, training and support to
individuals interested in helping someone quit smoking. To learn more about the
Helpers Program or about training, contact Stephanie Simmons of SCADD at
908-722-4900 or e-mail somersetCPTFNJ@somersetcouncil.org.
Also, the Somerset
County Health Department will have a display of educational resources in the
lobby of the county administration building, located at
The Somerset County
Cancer Coalition is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Department of
Health and Senior Services’ Office of Cancer Control and Prevention. The Coalition encourages residents to test
for radon and provide a smoke-free environment for their families. The
Coalition provides smoking cessation assistance and radon information to county
residents.
For more information on the SCCC, to become a member
or learn about available cancer-screening locations, dates, times and
eligibility, contact SCCC Coordinator Lucille Young-Talbot at 908-203-6077 or ytalbot@co.somerset.nj.us. Information also is available on the Somerset
County Health Department Web site at www.co.somerset.nj.us/health by selecting the Cancer Coalition from the “County Health
Promotion & Wellness Activities” drop-down listing.