During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the New Jersey Department of Health is raising awareness of the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Program (NJCEED), which offers screening services for breast and other cancers for low-income uninsured or underinsured residents.
“We know that early detection saves lives,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal. “NJCEED ensures all women and men have access to vital cancer screening services, regardless of their insurance status or income level:.”
After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among New Jersey women and the second leading cause of cancer death among New Jersey women. Each year there are approximately 7,350 cases diagnosed in New Jersey women and 1,320 deaths due to the disease.
The NJCEED Program provides comprehensive outreach, education, and screening services for breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers.
Since 2007, NJCEED has provided 155,952 mammograms resulting in the diagnoses of 1,787 cases of breast cancer.
Non-Hispanic white and Asian/Pacific Islander women diagnosed with breast cancer had a 91 percent chance of surviving at least 5 years, while non-Hispanic black women had significantly lower survival rates (80%) than the other racial/ethnic groups in New Jersey.
For women, risk factors include: family history of breast cancer, personal history of breast, ovarian, or endometrial cancer, susceptibility genes (BRCA-1, BRCA-2), some forms of benign breast disease, menstruation at an early age, late menopause, delaying childbirth after age 30, long-term use of post-menopause estrogens and progestins, obesity after menopause and excessive alcohol consumption.
This month, the Department is spotlighting Public Health Innovators who are conducting innovative research to address breast cancer in the state.