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.

Check out our infographic to learn more about Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) tests.

Take Action

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Increase funding for lifesaving cancer screening programs

It is critical that we ensure equitable access to breast and cervical cancer screenings. Urge your member of Congress to support full funding of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.

Latest Updates

February 7, 2025
Arizona

Volunteer advocates from across Arizona, including cancer survivors, patients and caregivers, rallied at the state Capitol on Thursday for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Advocates met with lawmakers and urged them to support policies that increase access to quality health care and prevent tobacco use.

January 29, 2025
National

Bipartisan legislation that would remove financial barriers to prostate cancer screening was introduced today in the U.S. Senate. Sponsored by Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act would waive cost-sharing requirements such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, for prostate cancer screening tests for men with the highest risk of prostate cancer, including Black men and those with a family history of the disease.

January 16, 2025
New York

The following is a statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New York Senior Government Relations Director Michael Davoli: “Coming off Governor Hochul’s State of the State address earlier this week, where access to and the costs of health care were sparingly mentioned, patient advocates are hopeful that the governor prioritizes health care affordability in her executive budget proposal for FY 2025-26.

November 19, 2024
New York

Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society's 48th annual Great American Smokeout ® by calling on elected officials across the state to do more to limit the toll of tobacco in New York.

Cancer Prevention Resources

In 2024, an estimated 13,820 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, and 4,360 will die from the disease. Cervical cancer can affect any person with a cervix and most often is caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Persistent HPV infection causes almost all cervical cancers but fortunately there is a safe and effective vaccine against HPV.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death in women. Although incidence rates have increased slightly over the past decade, death rates from breast cancer have been consistently declining over the last three decades, largely due to increased screening rates and improved treatment.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. No one should be disadvantaged in their fight against cancer because of income, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, or where they live. From preventive screening and early detection, through diagnosis and treatment, and into survivorship, there are several factors that influence cancer disparities among different populations across the cancer continuum.