Cancer Screening

Preventing and detecting cancer early: Cancer screening saves lives!

The Priority:

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. While cancer death rates have declined over the past decades, still more than 600,000 people die each year from cancer. Many of these deaths can be avoided, however, as there are some screening tests that can detect cancers early when they are most treatable. This priority workgroup focuses on increasing lung and colorectal cancer screening to reduce lung and colorectal cancer mortality Lung cancer causes more deaths among men and women in the U.S. than any other cancer. Annual screening with low dose computed tomography, a low dose CT scan, (LDCT) is recommended for 50–80-year-olds who have a 20-year per day or more smoking history and currently smoke or have quit smoking within the past 15 years. Yet, fewer than 7% of the people for whom screening is recommended get the screening test.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the U.S. Colorectal cancer is highly preventable and treatable if detected early. Screening at the recommended intervals can detect precancerous polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Most adults should begin getting regular colorectal cancer screenings when they turn 45. Unfortunately, too many individuals remain unscreened. Nearly 1 in 3 people who should be screened are not up to date on their colorectal cancer screenings.

What We Do:

Coalition-based approaches to cancer prevention and control have proven effective time and time again, particularly when addressing the issues that affect the cancer health outcomes linked to factors such as access to care, education, and social and economic status.

Now, more than ever, CCC programs and coalitions play a critical role in promoting lung and colorectal cancer screening messages and activities in community settings across the United States. In addition, CCC programs and coalitions are uniquely positioned to plan and support activities to remove barriers to screening to achieve Healthy People 2030 screening goals. Together, we can increase awareness about lung and colorectal cancer screening and make screening accessible, affordable, and convenient for all. The CCCNP Cancer Screening Priority Workgroup strives to help CCC programs and coalitions identify strategies to leverage their partnerships and resources to increase lung and colorectal cancer screening rates. This workgroup aims to assist CCC programs and coalitions in their critical ability to convene the appropriate partners (i.e. health care providers, health systems, communities, businesses, faith-based institutions, community health centers, state and local government, survivors, and others), build appropriate momentum, and generate collective support in every state and several tribes and US territories.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Resources

Lung Cancer Screening Resources

CCCNP Lung Cancer Resource List