Cancer hides.
No matter what else is going on, cancer still happens.
Cancer screenings save lives. Missed cancer screenings don’t.
Routine cancer screenings catch early signs of cancer—and allow early treatments with the highest chance of success. In New Jersey, a rising rate of missed screenings may lead to delayed cancer care. Screenings are easy and safe – and most show that no cancer exists. So, make cancer one less thing to worry about. Call your primary care provider to schedule overdue screenings for you and the people you care about.
8,330
The estimated number of women in the state who will develop breast cancer in 2021.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in New Jersey.
5,900
The estimated number of people in New Jersey who will develop lung cancer in 2021.
Lung cancer causes more deaths than other cancers in New Jersey.
8,120
The estimated number of men in New Jersey who will develop prostate cancer in 2021.
Prostate cancer is the state’s second most common cancer.
If these New Jersey residents missed their screenings, they may not know that they have cancer.
"I didn't think I was at risk."
Breast cancer wasn’t on Darcey Gohring’s radar. She was thinking about keeping her family safe from COVID-19.
Darcey Gohring remembers the night in March 2020 well. “I was locked down at home with my husband and two teenage children. Hand washing and sanitizing on repeat. Nights filled with Zoom calls, puzzles, board games, and binging on Netflix."
“And then one night, sitting on the couch watching a marathon of Diners,
Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Channel, everything changed. As I went to adjust my sports bra, my fingers grazed something, and I knew
immediately what it was. A lump.”
Is cancer hiding in your life?
Consider these identified risk factors to understand more about how cancer may develop and the importance of screenings for every person.
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Age
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The median age of cancer diagnosis is 66 years. One-quarter of new cancer cases are diagnosed in people aged 65 to 74.
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Alcohol
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Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, liver, and breast.
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Cancer-causing substances
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Exposure to certain substances in the environment can damage DNA and the process of cell division leading to cancer. These substances, including asbestos, radon, wood dust, formaldehyde, are called carcinogens.
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Chronic inflammation
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Inflammation is how the body heals injured tissue. Chronic inflammation in diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease, however, can cause DNA damage and lead to cancer.
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Diet
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Studies of large populations show that diets high in meats cooked at high temperatures are associated with risk of cancer while diets high in vegetables are associated with lower risk.
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Family history and genetics
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Family members may share genes, habits, and environments that can affect the risk of getting cancer. Inherited genetic mutations play a major role in about 5 to 10 percent of all cancers. This means that a person born with a genetic mutation, or change, is more susceptible to certain types of cancers.
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Hormones
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Estrogens, a group of female hormones, increase the risk of breast cancer. The more exposure to estrogen (through early menstruation, late menopause, older maternal age at first pregnancy, or never having given birth) the higher the risk.
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Immunosuppression
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Medications that suppress the immune system in organ-transplant patients increase the risk of certain types of cancer. HIV infection and blood disorders also suppress the immune system and are associated with higher risk of cancer.
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Viruses, bacteria and parasites
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Some infectious agents, including the human papillomaviruses (HPV) and hepatitis, can increase the risk of cancer by disrupting the processes that keep cell growth in check. Infections may also cause chronic inflammation, which is also associated with an increased risk of cancer.
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Obesity
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People who are obese may have an increased risk of cancers of the breast, colon, rectum, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, and gallbladder.
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Radiation
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Radiation from radon, x-rays, and other forms of high-energy radiation can damage DNA leading to cancer.
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Sunlight
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Exposure to ultra-violet radiation from the sun, sunlamps and tanning booths can damage the skin leading to skin cancer. People of all skin tones can develop skin cancer although it is more common among those with light skin tone.
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Tobacco
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Tobacco is a leading cause of cancer. Exposure is through smoking tobacco products or secondhand smoke in the environment. Smokeless tobacco also increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas.
Source: National Cancer Institute >
Book a cancer screening today.
Talk to Your Doctor
Call your primary care provider to find out if you are due for recommended routine cancer screenings.
Do you need to find a primary care doctor?
Do you need to schedule a mammogram?
Do you need to schedule a lung cancer screening?
Do you need to find a dermatologist?
Do you need to find a gastroenterologist?
Do you need to find a gynecologist?
Financial Options for Preventive Health Services
Atlantic Health has options for members of the community who have no insurance, or whose insurance does not cover screening exams.
Please call 973-971-6581 or visit the link at the button below.
Cancer Genetic Counseling & Screening
If you have a family history of cancer or have previously been diagnosed, you may be concerned about your future risk. Atlantic Health System can help assess your cancer risk through personalized consultations with a certified genetic counselor in a private and confidential setting.