Our Mission
The mission of the Suffolk County Cancer Awareness Task Force is to educate residents regarding the prevention of cancer, and to increase access to care and expand cancer services for all county residents. The Task Force seeks to provide residents with actionable information and to serve as a model for other communities to follow.
Our Vision
The vision of the Suffolk County Cancer Awareness Task Force is to improve the lives of county residents through the elimination of cancer in our community.
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New York State Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan
The New York State Cancer Consortium (NYSCC) recently released its Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan for the years 2012-2017. The goal of the Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan is to ease the burden of cancer in New York State. The Plan serves as a framework for the Consortium, health professionals and interested parties as they engage in actions and initiatives to address the cancer burden in local communities across the state. |
For more information:
Findings from the New York State Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan for 2012-2017.
What You Can Do
For more information on the NYSCC and the Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan http://www.nyscancerconsortium.org/index.aspx |
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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is on the rise. Yet skin cancer is largely preventable. As the summer months approach and we spend more time enjoying outdoor activities, here are simple steps you need to take to protect yourself and your family.
- do not receive more than a few minutes of unprotected sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day;
- avoid tanning beds;
- wear protective clothing (hat, shirt, UV sunglasses, umbrella);
- apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 30 or higher twenty minutes before going outside (see chart below);
-get Vitamin D in a safe way. Your health care provider can check your levels and make the appropriate recommendations; and
-conduct monthly exams - for details on how to conduct such an exam, you can go to skincarephysicians.com
For more information check out our Sun Safety Bulletin.
Background Information
The Suffolk County Cancer Awareness Task Force was formed in 2004. The Cancer Awareness Task Force meets several times a year and helps to develop priorities and goals and programs to address addressing cancer awareness issues. The Cancer Awareness Task Force is composed of health advocates, health care organizations, cancer researchers and staff in the Department of Health Services, as well as other county departments.
Suffolk County Cancer Awareness Task Force Committees
The Task Force is composed of four committees:
The Access to Care Committee addresses issues relating to increasing access to cancer care and expanding cancer services in Suffolk County so that every person in Suffolk County has access to comprehensive cancer care services.
The Prevention and Education Committee develops programs and materials to promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors, as well as reducing environmental exposures. This Committee has recently completed a
Cancer Prevention Strategy.
The Diverse Population Committee is identifying and addressing cancer health disparities among minority and medically underserved communities in Suffolk County. The goal of this committee is to ensure that minority and medically underserved populations are equipped with the resources necessary to make informed decisions about their health and healthcare needs.
The purpose of the Media Committee is to disseminate the information developed by the Task Force and committees. This committee has been involved in developing the logo, website and will assist with press releases and other public information dissemination.