Cancer Prevention

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More than half of all cancer deaths can be prevented by fully leveraging the knowledge, tools and medical breakthroughs we have today.

Providing everyone with the opportunity to have a healthy lifestyle and true access to cancer screenings - like mammograms and colonoscopies - could save thousands of lives every year.

We are working to pass laws at every level of government that are proven to help prevent and detect cancer.

Half of all cancer deaths can be prevented.

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National

Expand funding for lifesaving breast and cervical cancer prevention programs

Congress should expand funding for a program that provides lifesaving mammograms and pap tests to thousands of American women each year.  Ask Congress to prioritize funding for these lifesaving cancer screenings.

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National

Let's save more lives by reducing obesity, improving nutrition and increasing physical activity

Being overweight or obese is the number one cancer risk for people who don't use tobacco. 

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Latest Updates

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Hundreds of Cancer Patients, Survivors to Congress: Make Cancer a National Priority

September 15, 2020
National

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nearly 5 00 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones from all 50 states and nearly every congressional district will dial into calls and log onto virtual meeting s

House Passes FY 2021 Funding Bill With $5.5 Billion Increase for NIH

July 31, 2020

Today the U.S. House of Representatives voted on an FY 2021 spending bill that includes a $5.5 billion funding increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Half of the increase would be considered emergency funding and the other half would be divided among the various institutes, including a nearly $470 million funding boost for the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

House Appropriations Committee Includes $5.5 Billion Funding Increase for NIH in FY 2021

July 7, 2020
National

Washington, D.C.—Today the House Labor Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee on Health will vote on a FY 2021 spending bill that includes a $5.5 billion funding increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—half of which is emergency funding and the remainder of which will be divided among the

ACS CAN Submits Testimony on Policies to Reduce Health Disparities in Cancer Prevention, Diagnosis and Care

June 17, 2020
National

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted testimony today to the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the topic of racial and ethnic disparities in the health care system that often result in an unequal cancer burden. The hearing is focused on disparities in the overall health care system, as well as those around COVID-19.

Cancer Prevention Resources

Colorectal Cancer and the Importance of Screening

January 23, 2020

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the United States. Yet, more than 1 in 3 adults aged 50 to 75 are not getting tested as recommended. This factsheet discusses the importance of screening for colorectal cancer and what can be done to improve screening in the U.S.

 

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Colorectal Cancer Control Program Helps to Prevent Colorectal Cancer & Save Lives

January 23, 2020

An estimated 147,950 men and women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2020 and 53,200 individuals are estimated to die from the disease. Without a continued, dedicated federal investment in colorectal cancer prevention and early detection, the U.S. could experience a reduction in screening leading to increases in completely preventable colorectal cancer cases and deaths. This factsheet discusses the importance of continued funding for the Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP).

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Strong Prevention Policies Will Reduce the Cancer Burden

January 10, 2017

Current federal law provides life-saving coverage of cancer prevention and early detection services and programs.  These provisions are crucial to reducing the incidence and impact of cancer in the United States.  They are also crucial in helping cancer survivors remain cancer-free and lead healthy lives.

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