Early Detection Program Seeks to Improve Compliance with Recommended Cancer Screenings
As part of our series on non-profit organizations involved in the White House Cancer Moonshot program, we turn our attention to the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The Foundation is working with the White House and many other partners to advance cancer prevention and early detection across the United States as part of its mission to empower people to stay ahead of cancer through prevention and early detection.
We reached out to the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Senior Communications Manager, Kyra Meister, to learn more about the Foundation’s Early Detection = Better Outcomes campaign.
Cancer Screening Barriers
Real World Health Care: What are some of the biggest barriers people face in terms of getting recommended cancer screenings?
Kyra Meister
Kyra Meister: According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s 2024 Early Detection Survey, the top reason people reported for being behind on screenings was that they simply didn’t know they needed to be screened. This was true across nearly all survey participants.
Fear of a diagnosis or nervousness about the screening examination are other common reasons why people put off getting their routine cancer screenings.
RWHC: How do those barriers become even more burdensome for underserved patient communities, including racial and ethnic minorities and those facing other social determinants of health disparities like food or transportation insecurity?
KM: Our survey showed other barriers faced by different racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. For example, Hispanic adults said inability to afford the cost was a top reason for not being up to date on screenings and Black adults said skepticism of the health care system was a top reason for not being up to date. The list of barriers is long, and can include transportation issues, lack of childcare, difficulty taking time off work, and more.
All of this paints a more detailed picture of how many factors can affect whether someone receives care — and the consequences of these barriers to care are alarming. Across all populations, these barriers make it more difficult to achieve better health outcomes. When cancer is detected early, it can lead to less extensive treatment, more treatment options, and better chances of survival.
Spreading the Word About Cancer Screenings
RWHC: How is the Early Detection = Better Outcomes campaign addressing barriers to cancer screening?
KM: Early Detection = Better Outcomes was launched to educate all populations on the routine cancer screenings they need and encourage them to schedule appointments.
The campaign shares helpful information that is clear and easy to understand. We educate people on the cancer screenings they need at every age, provide tools to find free and low-cost cancer screenings and share information on how your family health history can impact your cancer risk. We also created an interactive tool that delivers a personalized screening plan in seconds that you can take with you to the doctor’s office. We also work with our community partners to overcome logistical barriers, like transportation issues.
It’s our goal to meet people where they are — providing them with a toolbox of sorts — so it’s easier for everyone to learn what screenings they need to check their health and then to act on that information.
Cancer Screening Milestone Announced
RWHC: Can you update us on how the campaign has been going since it was launched in 2023?
KM: One exciting milestone of our Early Detection = Better Outcomes campaign happened in April, when the White House issued an official presidential proclamation declaring April 2024 as the inaugural National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month. The designation of National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month was a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Prevent Cancer Foundation and supported by 84 organizations. It was, and will hopefully continue to be in years to come, a critical step toward reducing the impact of cancer on individuals, families, and communities across the U.S.
During the month of April, we saw over 2 billion media impressions and more than 2,000 completions of our cancer screening quiz. We also released a new Public Service Announcement starring Kim and Penn Holderness — winners of the 33rd season of “The Amazing Race” and internet personalities best known for funny, family-centric videos on their social media channels — about scheduling routine cancer screenings.
We’ve seen so many great conversations across the Foundation’s social media channels about people who have been encouraged or reminded to get their routine screenings after viewing our content. We’ve been so pleased to see these comments about people not only getting screened but coming back with an all clear! It’s a great reminder that early detection saves lives and what sharing your story can do for someone who is either hesitant to get screened or has postponed their appointment.
Don’t Wait to Get Your Cancer Screening
RWHC: What would you say to someone who may be on the fence about getting screened for cancer?
KM: Don’t let your fear keep you from getting checked. If you’re going to receive a diagnosis, it is better to get it early. In fact, some screenings are actually preventive, where you can stop cancer before it even starts — like when your provider removes precancerous polyps during a colonoscopy before it ever turns into colorectal cancer.
Also remember that you are not alone. If you have friends or family who are putting off their appointments, offer to go with each other for support, or plan to celebrate with them after you each get your screening. These things can go a long way in motivating yourself and others to check your health.
But the best possible action to take is to talk to your health care provider. Screening guidelines are for those at average risk, so if you have a family history of cancer OR other factors that increase your personal risk, you may need to get screened earlier or more often.
The Link Between Cancer Screening and Cancer Prevention
RWHC: Tell us more about the important role screening plays in preventing cancer.
KM: The five-year survival rate for many cancers is almost 90% when cancer is found in its early stages. Unfortunately, routine screenings are available for only five types of cancer (out of hundreds), which means there are many cancers that go undetected in those early stages. At the Prevent Cancer Foundation, we are investing $20 million over 15 years for research in innovative technologies to detect cancer early and advance multi-cancer screening. We need to be able to find more cancers in those earlier, more treatable stages. Routine screenings can mean better outcomes for your health — that means more treatment options, more healthy days ahead and more time with the people you love.
As for what we can do right now: Research shows up to 50% of cancer cases and about 50% of cancer deaths are preventable with the knowledge we have today. Knowledge is power — that’s why we are dedicated to sharing with others the ways that they can reduce their cancer risk and the routine cancer screenings they CAN and should get right now (even if they have no signs or symptoms).
The Prevent Cancer Foundation is grateful to President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and the entire White House Cancer Moonshot program for recognizing the importance of expanding access to cancer screenings, enabling healthy life habits, stopping more cancers before they start and driving new innovations to create a world where cancer is preventable, detectable, and beatable for all.
Supporting Cancer Patients
RWHC: Does the Prevent Cancer Foundation focus on more than promoting cancer screenings?
KM: We do! Our efforts encompass four pillars: research, education, outreach, and advocacy.
The Foundation funds important research grants and fellowships at some of the most prestigious academic institutions and medical centers across the U.S. The goal of our research program is to identify and fund innovative projects with the potential to make substantial contributions to cancer prevention or early detection.
When it comes to education, we’re committed to providing evidence-based information about how you can prevent cancer or detect it early through healthy lifestyle choices, vaccinations, and medical screenings. We get these messages out to adults of screening age through campaigns like Early Detection = Better Outcomes, along with a few others. Our young-onset colorectal cancer campaign, Too Young for This Sh*t, was created to generate discussion around this topic and educate the public about colorectal cancer prevention, early detection and the signs and symptoms of the disease — even if you think you’re too young for this sh*t. Most people think that colorectal cancer affects only older adults — but today, more adults under 45 are being diagnosed than ever before.
The Foundation reaches out to communities through programs and grants that allow us to fund nationally and globally and act locally. By empowering those who know their communities best, we are able to help implement lifesaving programs that benefit all populations, especially the medically underserved. Since 2007, the Foundation has awarded nearly $3 million in community grants in 37 states and American Samoa and to the Washoe Tribe.
And lastly, advocacy. By engaging policymakers and grassroots supporters through advocacy, the Foundation promotes the enactment of laws, regulations and funding that prioritize cancer research and prevention and support the needs of cancer patients and their families.