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Getting routine screenings and medical appointments can help prevent cancer, or catch it at earlier, more treatable stages.
However, only 51% of U.S. adults age 21 and older say they have had a routine medical appointment or routine cancer screening in the last year, according to the 2025 Early Detection Survey from the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
This number is a 10%-point drop compared to the 2024 Early Detection Survey.
“While the precise reason for the change remains unclear, top reasons survey participants cited for falling behind on their routine cancer screenings center on [incorrect information or confusion],” according to the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Let’s look into the survey and learn more about how this impacts families and communities.
Reasons for a Lack of Cancer Screening
The 2025 survey shows that 43% of participants weren’t aware they needed to get screened.
The lower numbers also came from 40% of participants not having a family history of the disease or not having any symptoms of the disease.
Having one or more family members with a history of certain cancers, like breast or prostate cancer, could place others at higher risk for the development of cancer. But most people who get cancer do not have a family history of the disease, which is another reason cancer screening is so important.
The reasons for a lack of screenings and appointments are consistent with 2024 survey findings.
However, 2025 survey results show an increase in wariness of the health care system.
1 in 7 U.S. adults who are behind on one or more routine cancer screening said it was because they are skeptical of the health care system, according to the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Worry is another factor.
Because a cancer diagnosis is not easy news to get, 73% of U.S. adults worry when thinking about cancer screenings.
More than 36% worry about the possibility of finding out they have cancer, and of that group, 39% believe that a cancer diagnosis is usually a death sentence.
““If you are someone who has put off a routine screening from fear of a diagnosis, you are not alone. But if you’re going to receive a diagnosis, it is better to get it early because early detection equals better outcomes,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Cancer Screening by the Numbers
Only 32% of men report they are up to date on their testicular cancer checks. Just 36% of adults report they are up to date on their skin cancer checks.
In addition, the highest screening rates were related to breast cancer, with 65% of women age 40 and older reporting they are up to date on their routine breast cancer screening.
Similarly, 66% of U.S. adults report they are familiar with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
While this is a great direction to go, other cancer types saw much lower reports of completed screening.
“65% of eligible people being screened for breast cancer is still not enough—we have a lot of work to do to increase screenings rates for better health outcomes. And for other cancer types, it’s an even taller order,” according to Hoyos.
“We need to shine a light on the importance of all routine cancer screenings, so everyone has the best chance for a healthy future,” Hoyos said.
Moving Forward for Cancer Screening and Prevention
This information begs the question, why are people behind on screening?
“All signs point to a need for more education on the importance of early detection and increased trust in the health care system,” according to the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
When people learn about the benefits of early detection, 73% are more likely to schedule their routine cancer screenings, according to the survey.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation also highlights other ways we can make routine cancer screenings more accessible, including:
- Testing options. 42% of participants saying that an at-home test would make them more likely to prioritize their routine screening.
- Reducing cost. 32% of participants said that making the cost more affordable would make them more likely to prioritize routine screening.
- Reminder systems. 61% of participants saying that text, phone call or email reminders would be the best ways to make sure they prioritize their routine cancer screenings.
- Patient navigation. 51% of participants said that help from their health provider answering their questions or help navigating the health care system would make them more likely to follow through with a recommended screening.
With this in mind, the Prevent Cancer Foundation provides a plethora of screening and prevention resources, like:
- A screening quiz.
- A guide to preventing cancer.
- Information and resources on free and low-cost cancer screenings, testing and vaccinations, and more!
The Prevent Cancer Foundations resource hub is also available in Spanish.
Explore the Health of Your Community
Encouraging cancer prevention and detection resources and messages is a great way to promote health for all people.
How can you check the health status of your community?
Find out by downloading a Salud America! Health Report Card for your town!
Enter your county name and get auto-generated local data with interactive maps and comparative gauges on several health indicators. This can help you visualize and explore local issues in education, housing, transportation, food, health, and more.
See how your county stacks up compared to the rest of your state and nation.
Then email the Report Card to local leaders to raise awareness, include the data in a presentation or grant proposal, or share it on social media to drive healthy change in your community!
By The Numbers
142
Percent
Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years
