More than 200 Patients Examined at Oral Cancer Screening Event

RSDM volunteers at the school's annual oral cancer screening event. RSDM volunteers at the school's annual oral cancer screening event.

RSDM's annual oral cancer screening event, held last week for more than 200 underserved patients, helps detect a deadly disease in its early stages, when the odds for successful treatment are higher.

But it also allows students to hone their  diagnostic skills and teaches them the value of volunteering and team work.

"In addition to learning about the clinical application of screening, students see the faculty engage in community service, which  could hopefully inspire them to do the same. This is an avenue for collaboration between health care providers and volunteers from the medical school, university hospital and other organizations together so that a variety of health care services could be offered in the same place,'' said  Dr. Mahnaz Fatahzadeh, director of RSDM's  Oral Mucosal Diseases Clinic.

According to the American Cancer Society, over 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Early detection increases survival rates, and dentists are experts at spotting oral cancer in its beginning stages.

Many patients at the event were clients at Integrity House in Newark, which works intensively with recovering substance abusers.  Among the risk factors for oral cancer are heavy tobacco and alcohol use.  A few of the patients screened had premalignant lesions, while some were flagged for dental problems and other conditions, said Fatahzadeh.

"We provided oral cancer education as well as information about the appropriate follow up,'' she said.

At the Health Fair, organized buy the Essex-Passaic Wellness Coalition (EPWC), patients could also receive free blood pressure and glucose screenings, provided by Horizon NJ Health, and free, confidential HIV and STD testing, via the New Jersey Medical School's STOP program. Other organizations also participated in the fair, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Jersey;  St. Michael’s “In the Pink” Program;  St. Barnabas Cancer Program; HealthyNJ, the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health, Cancer Care; the East Orange Health Department; the Newark Department of Health & Community Wellness; and the NJ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed).