VA New Jersey Health Care System

Comprehensive Cancer Prevention/Screening Program

Your interest in cancer screening shows your desire for healthy living. We applaud your initiative! Our Staff of Cancer Specialists offers Comprehensive Cancer Screening Exams, Education, Counseling and Medical Care. Annual cancer screening exams are one method to find cancers early, to modify risks of developing cancer, and to maintain healthy lifestyles. A Nurse Practitioner will review your health, family history and lifestyle. A comprehensive screening may be chosen or you may select specific screening services.

Annual Cancer Screening Exam

• For men and women.
• You complete a questionnaire about personal & family history & your current health.
• After review by a Nurse Practitioner, a personalized screening service will be recommended.
• Includes a skin, oral, thyroid, breast, lymph node, abdominal & rectal exam.
• Head-to-toe skin exam to look for growths that require removal. 

Colon Cancer Screening

View our Colorectal Cancer Screening Celebrity Story

• Recommended for men and women.
• Recommended annually at age 50.
• Earlier exams may be necessary with family history of colon cancer.
• A colonoscopy, a view of the colon using a flexible lighted tube, is offered.
• Polyps can be removed to prevent cancer.

Prostate Cancer Screening

• We provide information about the benefits & limitations of early detection.
• After discussing prostate testing with your Provider, decide if testing is the right choice for you.

Breast and Cervical Screening

• Offered at our Women's Health Program.
• A referral can be made to the Nurse Practitioner for Women's Health.

Skin Screening

• Recommended for men and women
• Yearly skin exam and protect skin from the sun
• A referral can be made to the Dermatology Clinic

How Do I Make An Appointment?

VA New Jersey Health Care System Cancer Center
385 Tremont Avenue
East Orange, New Jersey 07018
Registration Office: 973-676-1000 x1843 or x1968
Toll Free: 800-475-2336

Education and Counseling

Veterans can enroll in the smoking cessation programs. Instruction to perform self-exams are included in the individual screening exam. Written educational material is available from the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute. A Patient Educational Resource Center, PERC, is available to assist with online educational web sites.

Pre-Colonoscopy Instructions

Please click here for instructions on what to do in the days leading to your colonoscopy.

Upper Endoscopy (EGD) Instructions

Please click here for instructions on what to do in the days leading to your Endoscopy.

After Your Initial Visit

We will discuss the results of your tests with you. If you are not at risk, we will recommend a yearly exam. If you have signs or risks for cancer, we will discuss a referral to one of our Cancer Specialists. If you have non-cancer related health problems, we can recommend a primary care provider.