CANCER DETECTION

In Rockaway Township and Rockaway Borough, health department officials lead a pilot project aimed at early detection and screening for cancer. Additional screenings were added to the existing calendar for both communities, and representatives from the action team manned display tables at local sites, such as the Rockaway Townsquare Mall. The project is part of the three-year goal to increase by five percent the number of people diagnosed with early stage cancer rather than later stage cancer.

"The Rockaways are no different than the rest of the towns in Morris and Sussex counties when it comes to cancer rates," says Steven Levinson, Rockaway Township health officer and member of the Trust. "But if we can help to create an effort that will improve the health of our residents, we're all for it. Our goal is to increase the

number of people participating in existing programs that effectively catch cancer early, when treatment is most successful."

In addition to the screenings in the Rockaways, the action team published a directory of cancer screening sites that links residents with local resources. The publication lists warnings signs of cancer, American Cancer Society guidelines, profiles of people who have beaten cancer and a listing of where to go in the two counties for a screening.

"This is the first publication of its type to be created by a New Jersey community. It's accurate, informative and should prove very effective in linking people with the resources they need to improve their health. " says Maureen Olsen of the American Cancer Society Morris County Division and member of the Trust.