August 26, 2025
Early detection remains one of the most powerful tools in the fight against cancer. Preventive care screenings—such as mammograms, colonoscopies, Pap tests, and low-dose CT scans—can identify cancer at earlier, more treatable stages, often before symptoms appear.1 Yet, despite their proven benefits, many eligible patients still miss out on these potentially life-saving tests.
This gap in screening is often driven by misconceptions and limited awareness, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with lower income or education, and those with limited access to health care.2 To close these gaps, providers must prioritize clear, consistent communication that empowers every patient to make informed decisions about their health.
The power of early detection
Screening is designed to detect cancer or precancerous conditions in asymptomatic individuals. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, treatment is more likely to be successful and survival rates improve significantly.1 For example, routine cervical cancer screening has been shown to dramatically reduce mortality, and colorectal cancer screening can prevent cancer altogether by identifying and removing precancerous lesions.3
However, screenings are not without risks. False positives, false negatives, and overdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary anxiety or procedures. That’s why informed, shared decision-making between providers and patients is essential.1
Effective communication drives action
Providers are uniquely positioned to guide patients through the complexities of screening options, helping them understand the benefits, risks, and appropriate timing based on individual risk factors. Whether it’s initiating a conversation during a routine visit or following up on abnormal results, provider engagement is key.
Using a health literacy framework can strengthen these conversations.2
Explore screening guidelines by cancer type:
1 Cancer Screening Overview (PDQ®) – Health Professional Version
2 Improve and Align Cancer Screening Communication
3 Bringing Informed Decision-Making to Cancer Screening
| The value of disease prevention and early detection: By the numbers Recent findings from the National Institutes of Health highlight that over the past 45 years, advancements in prevention and screening have helped avert 80 percent of deaths from the five most common types of cancer: Breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate.2 Some noteworthy statistics on the significance of early detection and routine screenings: Screening gaps: Approximately 65 percent of Americans aged 21 and older are not up to date on at least one routine cancer screening.3 If every person in the U.S. received the recommended clinical preventive care, 100,000 lives could be saved each year.1 Breast cancer: This is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Early detection through screening can significantly improve outcomes, with a 99 percent survival rate for stage I breast cancer.4 Colorectal cancer: Incidence and mortality rates for colorectal cancer have been decreasing in older adults for several decades, due in part to the availability of screening tests that facilitate early detection and treatment.5 Nearly 10 percent of new colorectal cancers worldwide occur in people under the age of 50.6 A recent study suggests that a mere 10 percent increase in colorectal cancer screenings could save tens of thousands of lives, reducing deaths from colorectal cancer by an estimated 21 percent and cervical cancer by 40 percent.7 Cervical cancer: The incidence rates of cervical cancer have dropped by more than 50 percent in the last several decades, largely due to the rise in screenings.8 1 Provision of Clinical Preventive Services by Community Pharmacists. 2 Prevention and screening drive drop in cancer deaths. 3 65% of Americans 21 years of age and older report not being up to date on at least one routine cancer screening. 4 Early Detection Saves Lives: The Essential Cancer Screenings You Can’t Afford to Skip. 5 Key Statistics for Colorectal Cancer. 6 As Rates of Some Cancers Increase in Younger People, Researchers Search for Answers. 7 What Happens If More People Get Screened for Cancer? 8 Key Statistics for Cervical Cancer. |
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