Cancer Prevention

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More than half of all cancer deaths can be prevented by fully leveraging the knowledge, tools and medical breakthroughs we have today.

Providing everyone with the opportunity to have a healthy lifestyle and true access to cancer screenings - like mammograms and colonoscopies - could save thousands of lives every year.

We are working to pass laws at every level of government that are proven to help prevent and detect cancer.

Half of all cancer deaths can be prevented.

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Cancer researcher working in a lab

Congress: Prioritize Cancer Research Funding

Cancer diagnoses are at an all-time high. We need Congress to make cancer research and prevention funding a priority in their next budget.

Latest Updates

April 12, 2024
National

In light of the recent news regarding Dr. Francis Collins, former director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and his recent prostate cancer diagnosis, the American Cancer Society (ACS) extends its full support as he navigates his cancer journey.

April 1, 2024
Virginia

Last week, Governor Youngkin signed critical legislation improving Virginians’ access to colorectal cancer screening.

March 28, 2024
South Dakota

SJR 501, passed with little in the way of discussion or specifics, will be placed on the November ballot as Amendment F. ACS CAN will be part of a broad coalition of health advocacy groups opposed as similar programs in other Medicaid Expansion states have accomplished little other than stripping health care from those most in need.

March 27, 2024
New York

ALBANY, NY - 27 DE MARZO DE 2024 - Funcionarios electos se unieron hoy a sobrevivientes de cáncer, defensores de los derechos de los pacientes y líderes de salud pública para resaltar las oportunidades que se presentan en el presupuesto del año fiscal 2024-25 para a ayudar a más

Cancer Prevention Resources

Tobacco use causes about one-third of cancer deaths in the nation overall, but the burden varies by state.

In 2024, an estimated 13,820 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, and 4,360 will die from the disease. Cervical cancer can affect any person with a cervix and most often is caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Persistent HPV infection causes almost all cervical cancers but fortunately there is a safe and effective vaccine against HPV.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death in women. Although incidence rates have increased slightly over the past decade, death rates from breast cancer have been consistently declining over the last three decades, largely due to increased screening rates and improved treatment.