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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Congress: Prioritize Cancer Research Funding

Cancer diagnoses are at an all-time high. We need Congress to make cancer research and prevention funding a priority in their next budget.

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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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Statement on the Passing of U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr.

April 24, 2024
National, New Jersey

The following is a statement from Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), on the passing of U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-N.J.).

American Cancer Society Statement: Dr. Karen E. Knudsen on Dr. Francis Collins’ Cancer Diagnosis

April 12, 2024
National

In light of the recent news regarding Dr. Francis Collins, former director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and his recent prostate cancer diagnosis, the American Cancer Society (ACS) extends its full support as he navigates his cancer journey.

Governor Youngkin Signs Legislation Aimed at Improving Access to Lifesaving Cancer Screenings

April 1, 2024
Virginia

Last week, Governor Youngkin signed critical legislation improving Virginians’ access to colorectal cancer screening.

Palliative Care Bill a Win for South Dakota, Amendment F Looms as Possible Major Setback for Cancer Community

March 28, 2024
South Dakota

SJR 501, passed with little in the way of discussion or specifics, will be placed on the November ballot as Amendment F. ACS CAN will be part of a broad coalition of health advocacy groups opposed as similar programs in other Medicaid Expansion states have accomplished little other than stripping health care from those most in need.

Cancer Prevention Resources

Food is Medicine Initiatives to Address Chronic Diseases and Reduce Health Disparities

January 5, 2024

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supports policies and funding that increase access to “Food is Medicine” (or food as medicine) initiatives and interventions intended to prevent, treat, or manage chronic diseases and often address food and nutrition insecurity.

Increasing Access to Fruits and Vegetables Among SNAP Participants Through Financial Incentives

January 5, 2024

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supports giving participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) financial incentives to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Just the Facts: Breast Cancer Disparities

October 6, 2023

Approximately 1 in 8 women (13%) will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime, and 1 in 39 women (3%) will die from breast cancer. In 2023, an estimated 297,790 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 43,170 will die from the disease. Despite the fact that U.S. breast cancer death rates have been declining for several decades, not all people have benefited equally from the advances in prevention, early detection, and treatments that have helped achieve these lower rates.