Cancer Screen Week Dec. 5-9 is a Reminder to Get Screened!

Each new cancer diagnosis, whether someone in the public eye or a family member, serves as an important reminder that cancer can impact anyone – particularly if you aren’t caught up on your recommended screenings. That’s why the American Cancer Society, Genentech, Optum, and Stand Up To Cancer created Cancer Screen Week, an annual health initiative, urging Americans to not wait to get screened for cancer. Catching cancers at earlier stages, when they’re treatable, can be the difference between life and death for many patients.

For cancer screening guidelines by age and information about free screenings: www.cancer.org/get-screened or call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345.

Some Facts:
● A 2022 American Cancer Society study found that in the last year, the number of women in the U.S. who reported having a breast or cervical cancer screening dropped by 2.13 million – that’s a population roughly the size of New Mexico.
● Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. Screening can often find colorectal cancer early, when it's small, hasn't spread, and might be easier to treat. Regular screening can even prevent colorectal cancer when doctors find and remove polyps before they have the chance to turn into cancer. A polyp can take 10 to 15 years to develop into cancer.

• Black men and women are 40% more likely to get colorectal cancer and 40 more likely to die from it when compared to other racial groups. They also have lower colorectal screening rates than any other group, which is driven by access disparities and screening age.

● Adults younger than 55 years were less likely to get screened for colorectal cancer in the past two decades, particularly if they were Hispanic, low income, lower educational level, or ha no health insurance.