"We support evidence-based development of innovative strategies for early detection that have the potential to improve lives. When there is FDA approval and clear demonstration of clinical benefit, we believe that equitable access to these new technologies is imperative."
- Dr. Karen Knudsen, CEO, ACS CAN
Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Could Help Reduce Cancer Disparities
Overall cancer mortality rates have been declining for more than two decades in the United States, but racial, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities persist. The availability of multi-cancer screening tests has the potential to address cancer mortality disparities by detecting more cancers earlier in more people.
Cancer disparities occur mostly because of barriers to high quality cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment due to inequities in employment, wealth, education, housing, and standards of living.
Once clinical benefit has been established, it is critical that tests should be more accessible to patients, thereby extending cancer prevention and cancer care options to traditionally underserved communities. Reducing cancer disparities can only be achieved if there is equitable access to medical advances in underserved communities, which Medicare coverage can help promote.