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.

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National

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.

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Urge Congress to Remove Out of Pocket Costs for Prostate Cancer Screenings

Ensure cost is not a barrier to live-saving prostate cancer screenings. Urge your Member of Congress to cosponsor the PSA for Him Act today.

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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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Legislation Introduced in NYC Council to Promote Workers’ Access to Cancer Prevention through Paid Time Off for Screening

August 14, 2025
New York

Earlier today, a new bill was introduced in the New York City Council to improve New Yorkers’ access to cancer screening. Int. #1369-2025 will require all private employers with a staff of five or more to grant employees paid time off—up to five hours annually—for preventative medical care, including doctor-recommend screening, ensuring that fear of wage or job loss does not serve as a barrier to workers’ ability to prevent, detect and ultimately survive cancer.

U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Shows Strong Bipartisan Support for Cancer Research Funding in FY26 Bill

July 31, 2025
National

Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations considered and approved its draft FY26 appropriations bill that includes increases for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and increases for federal cancer research funding at the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

U.S. Senate Confirms Susan Monarez as CDC Director

July 29, 2025
National

Today, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Susan Monarez, PhD, as the next Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

More than 30 Patient and Medical Professional Organizations Respond to US Supreme Court Decision that Protects Access to Lifesaving Preventive Care

June 27, 2025
National

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in the case of Kennedy v. Braidwood Management.

Cancer Prevention Resources

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.

ACS CAN Supports the “Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act” (H.R. 4286)

September 15, 2023

Critical steps are needed to increase lung cancer screening rates across the country and also increasing to access comprehensive cessation benefits, especially among individuals with limited incomes that are disproportionately burdened by lung cancer.

ACS CAN supports H.R. 4286 to eliminate barriers and increase access to lung cancer screening and expand coverage for tobacco cessation.

ACS CAN Supports the Find It Early Act (H.R.3086)

September 15, 2023

Breast cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer among women in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer death among women after lung cancer. Ensuring breast cancer screening services ― including diagnostic and follow-up testing ― are covered without no cost-sharing is essential to increasing access and expanding coverage of breast cancer screening.

ACS CAN supports H.R. 3086 to increase access to no cost breast cancer screening, diagnostic and follow-up testing.