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Passaic County issues ovarian cancer awareness proclamation; commissioners and residents urge better screening
Summary
Commissioner James presented a proclamation recognizing ovarian cancer awareness month and shared a family account of late diagnosis; residents urged improved screening and noted limited available tests and insurance coverage.
The Passaic County Board of County Commissioners issued a proclamation Sept. 24 recognizing ovarian cancer awareness month and members of the public shared personal accounts underscoring the need for earlier detection.
Commissioner James related his family’s experience, saying his mother was diagnosed at an advanced stage two decades ago and stressed the importance of better screening tools. "Twenty years ago, when I moved my mother in with me ... she was at stage 4 ovarian cancer," James said, adding that earlier detection gives patients a much better chance of surviving.
Speakers Lois and Laura Sackett and another attendee described a family member’s ovarian cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgery. One speaker said a test (referred to in the transcript as CEA) exists but is often not covered by insurers and must sometimes be requested by patients. "There is no test now available," one speaker said, while also urging participation in fundraisers and broader awareness campaigns.
The proclamation was adopted as a ceremonial item; the board did not record any formal county policy changes or funding commitments related to ovarian cancer screening at the meeting. The transcript contains some garbled phrasing about state actions; one speaker said the governor of New Jersey had signed recognition of the month. That assertion was made on the floor and not accompanied by a citation in the meeting record.
