Cancer screenings SAVE LIVES (including mine), so why are people reluctant to get them?
Let’s explore strategies to encourage participation in cancer screenings!
Shared by Jeffrey Kendall Sapp
Based on the current screening guidelines, the primary forms of cancer screening routinely performed in America in 2025 include the following.
Breast Cancer Screening
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women get screened for breast cancer every other year, starting at age 40 and continuing through age 74. This represents a recent change from previous guidelines that recommended starting to get screenings at age 50. Mammography remains the primary screening method.
Cervical Cancer Screening
The American Cancer Society recommends screening with a high-risk HPV test every 5 years for women with a cervix who are of average risk and between 25-65 years old. Alternative options include co-testing (cervical cytology and hrHPV) every 5 years or Pap tests alone every 3 years.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Screening is recommended for average-risk adults, typically starting at age 45-50 and continuing through age 75. Multiple screening options are available including colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and various stool-based tests for blood or DNA markers.
Lung Cancer Screening
The American Cancer Society recommends yearly screening for lung cancer with a low-dose CT scan for people ages 50 to 80 who have significant smoking histories (typically 20+ pack-years) and meet other risk criteria.
Prostate Cancer Screening
Clinicians should offer regular prostate cancer screening every 2 to 4 years to people aged 50 to 69 years, typically using Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests combined with risk assessment discussions.
PSA is a blood test used in screening for prostate cancer to measure the level of PSA in a man’s blood.
PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels can be an indicator of prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by other factors like benign prostate enlargement or inflammation. A PSA test is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test for prostate cancer.
PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) levels naturally tend to increase with age. While a level above 4.0 ng/mL has traditionally been flagged as potentially abnormal, there is no universally agreed-upon threshold. However, you can rest assured that many healthcare providers now use age-specific PSA ranges to assess risk better, recognizing that what may be high for one age group could be normal for another.
For example, men in their 40s and 50s may warrant further evaluation if PSA levels rise above 2.5 ng/mL. Men in their 60s might not raise concern unless PSA levels exceed 4.0 ng/mL or continue to increase steadily over time.
Ultimately, a single PSA result is only one piece of the puzzle. It’s important to understand that doctors consider several factors, such as PSA velocity (how fast it’s rising), prostate size, family history, and overall health—before recommending further testing like a biopsy. This comprehensive approach ensures an accurate assessment of one’s prostate health.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a not-for-profit alliance of 33 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. It recommends initiating risk assessment discussions at age 45 for average-risk patients.
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The five screening programs described above are the most common and well-supported cancer screenings in the U.S., although guidelines differ somewhat among groups like the American Cancer Society (ACS), NCCN, and USPSTF.
USPSTF stands for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. It’s an independent panel of experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine that makes recommendations about clinical preventive services. These recommendations, such as screening tests, counseling, and preventive medications, are designed to help primary care clinicians and their patients make informed decisions about healthcare.
Here are strategies that advocates can use
to encourage participation in cancer screenings
Community Education and Outreach
Promoting Early Cancer Screenings
Advocates can organize educational seminars, health fairs, and community presentations to raise awareness of the importance of different screening tests. Partnering with local healthcare providers, community centers, churches, and other trusted organizations helps reach diverse populations where they already gather.
Addressing Barriers and Misconceptions
About Cancer & Cancer Screenings
Many people avoid screening due to fear, cost concerns, or misinformation. Advocates can provide accurate information about what screening tests involve, address common myths, and help people understand that early detection significantly improves outcomes. Sharing stories from cancer survivors who benefited from early screening can be particularly powerful.
Leveraging Peer Networks and Social Support
Encouraging family members and friends to get screened together can make the process less intimidating. Advocates can facilitate screening buddy programs or group appointments, making it a shared health commitment rather than an individual burden.
Working with Healthcare Systems
Advocates can collaborate with hospitals, clinics, and primary care practices to improve their screening outreach efforts. This includes supporting patient reminder systems, helping practices identify patients due for screening, and advocating for convenient scheduling options.
Policy and Systems Change
Advocating for improved insurance coverage, workplace screening programs, mobile screening units in underserved areas, and extended clinic hours can address structural barriers that prevent people from accessing screening services.
Creating Culturally Tailored Messaging About Cancer Screenings
Communities may respond quite differently to messages and approaches. Advocates can collaborate with community leaders to develop culturally appropriate materials and use trusted messengers who understand specific cultural concerns or preferences around healthcare.
Digital and Social Media Campaigns
Using social media, text messaging, and online platforms to share screening reminders, success stories, and educational content can reach people where they spend time digitally, especially younger demographics who might otherwise miss traditional outreach efforts.
What Are the Most Trusted Sources
of Information About Cancer?
There are several sources of information about cancer. They include the National Institutes of Health, which answers the title question here.
Ask the following questions to decide if health information online is credible:
- Who manages this information?
The person or group that has published health information online should be easy to find somewhere on the page. - What are the letters at the end of the web address?
Government websites end in “.gov” and those ending with “.edu” are run by a university or other educational institution. These are sources that you can usually trust. If you see “.org” or “.com” at the end of a web address, it may also be a trusted site. However, check it closely to make sure. - Who is paying for the project, and what is their purpose?
You should be able to find this information in the “About Us” section. Are they selling something or promoting a “cure”? If so, be very careful! - What is the original source of the information that they have posted?
If the information was originally published in a research journal or a book, they should say which one(s) so that you can find it. - How is information reviewed before it gets posted? Most health information publications have someone with medical or research credentials (e.g., someone who has earned an M.D., D.O., or Ph.D.) review the information before it gets posted to make sure it’s correct.
- How current is the information?
Online health information sources should show you when the information was posted or last reviewed. - If they are asking for personal information, how will they use that information, and how will they protect your privacy?
This is important. Do not share personal information until you understand the policies under which it will be used and you are comfortable with any risk involved in sharing your information online.
Book Jeffrey Now for a Free Initial Chat on Zoom
If you would like to talk for about 30 minutes before deciding whether to book me to give a presentation about my cancer journey and topics related to cancer, use the contact form below or email JeffreyKendallSapp@gmail.com and put “Request Free Chat About (whatever your topic is). I’ll email you back so we can coordinate schedules to discuss your needs and my services.
After our initial 30-minute session, if you’d like to continue our conversation, explore additional consultations, or book me for a speaking engagement, we can arrange a plan that works for you.
I look forward to chatting with you!
We Advocate, Educate, & Motivate!
Author: Nancy (Ayanna) Wyatt, Life Coach & Spiritual Counselor
Nancy (Ayanna) Wyatt, Author, CLC, MHT, TNLP + Reiki Master, Spiritual Counselor, Life Coach, Teacher, Trainer, Writing/Editing, Infographics, Web Content and Blogging Services. She helps people – from all walks of life – see their own beauty so they can heal and thrive, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.