"Choose Your Cover"
Free skin cancer screenings will available to beachgoers in Monmouth County in effort to raise awareness and reduce skin cancer mortality

The Monmouth Cancer Coalition will offer free skin cancer screening to adults at five beaches on July 25, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. "Choose Your Cover" will combine the collected expertise of three Monmouth County medical centers, two health departments and five municipalities to fight skin cancer where risks are perhaps the greatest – at the beach.

At designated beaches, a health professional will provide a free skin cancer screening exam to anyone who registers. This is a simple test that can detect signs of skin cancer. All adults age 18 and over are eligible for a free exam. In addition, educational materials, sunscreen and door prizes will be provided.

"Choose Your Cover" began in 2008 at three Ocean County beaches under the auspices of the Ocean County Cancer Coalition when over 500 people received a skin cancer screening exam. In 2009, all four New Jersey shoreline counties will participate in this highly successful event. In Monmouth County, skin cancer screening will be available at Bradley Beach, Asbury Park Beach, Long Branch Beach, Highlands Family Beach and Sea Bright Boro Beach:

• Bradley Beach – Ocean Avenue And Lorraine Avenue
• Asbury Park – Boardwalk at Ocean Avenue
• Long Branch – Boardwalk at The Great Lawn Area
• Highlands - 22 Snug Harbor Avenue, Highlands. Robert D. Wilson Memorial Community Center & Snug Harbor Beach
• Sea Bright Beach – Public Beach Area, 1097 Ocean Avenue

The purpose of "Choose Your Cover" is to raise awareness about the risks of skin cancer due to sun exposure. The goal is supported by the 2008-2012 New Jersey Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan. In New Jersey and Monmouth County, melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers. In Monmouth County, melanoma incidence rates are fourth highest in the state and, contrary to most cancer types, have been increasing dramatically in recent years.

"New Jersey has a significantly higher risk of skin cancer than other states, and Monmouth County is higher than the average of New Jersey counties," said Arnold M. Baskies, M.D. and Chair of the Task Force on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment in New Jersey and creator of Choose Your Cover. "We believe that sun safety can make a big difference and that education about skin cancer is key to saving lives."

The program sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Cancer Control and Prevention and the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey as grant recipient. The Monmouth Cancer Coalition is a volunteer organization comprised of representatives from the health and human service communities, education, business, faith-based organizations and the general public. Its mission is to increase awareness, education and access to cancer screening and care through developing and sustaining collaborative relationships within the community for the purpose of reducing cancer morbidity and mortality in Monmouth County. The Coalition is funded by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Cancer Control & Prevention with Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey acting as grant recipient.

For more information about "Choose Your Cover" and the Monmouth Cancer Coalition, please visit www.monmouthcancercoalition.org or contact Patricia H. Virga, Ph.D., Coordinator, Monmouth Cancer Coalition, 732-418-3219 or via email at pvirga@newsolutionsinc.com.

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