If you’re lucky enough to escape the winter weather doldrums for a sunny beach vacation, packing sunglasses and sunscreen is probably part of the plan. Sure, you want to enjoy some vitamin “sea,” but not at the expense of sun damage.
Maybe a ski getaway is more your style. You’re most likely not going to brave the slippery slopes without a coat, though. The shivering, confusion, weakness and frostbite caused by hypothermia aren’t vacation memories you want to make.
Not all health issues are preventable. Avoiding smoking doesn’t necessarily mean you’re never going to be diagnosed with lung cancer.
Preventive screenings, however, are crucial for detecting diseases early when they are most treatable. Early cancer detection through routine screenings can substantially enhance the effectiveness of treatment and improve health outcomes. According to the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI), a 10 percentage point increase in the uptake of screening strategies recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) could yield a one percent reduction in lung cancer deaths, a 21 percent reduction in colorectal cancer deaths, a four percent reduction in breast cancer deaths and a 40 percent reduction in cervical cancer deaths.
Healthcare costs also decrease when cancer is caught earlier through preventive screenings. The $43 billion estimated annual cost for initial cancer screening in the U.S. is less than the annual cost of cancer treatment in the first 12 months after diagnosis.
Preventive Screenings to Combat Cancer
For patients with a packed schedule, scheduling a preventive screening can be a nuisance. But, ignoring screening recommendations can be the difference between life and death. Although research proves the efficacy of preventive screenings in diagnosing cancer earlier, some healthcare consumers — especially those limited by social determinants of health (SDOH) — encounter impediments to getting them.
Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and has one of the lowest five-year survival rates because cases are typically diagnosed at later stages when it is less likely to be curable. Roughly 45 percent of lung cancer cases are not caught until a late stage when the survival rate is only nine percent.
The USPSTF recommends annual lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 50-80 years who have a 20-pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Also referred to as low-dose helical CT, an LDCT scan aims to reduce cancer mortality through increased lung cancer detection at a curable stage.
Multiple studies indicate that low-dose CT screening for at-risk populations can be successful in promoting early diagnosis. One study demonstrated a 10-year and 20-year lung cancer–specific survival rate of 81 percent in patients who were diagnosed with lung cancer through early LDCT screening. Among patients who were diagnosed with stage I disease, the survival rate was 95 percent.
Only six percent of patients eligible for a life-saving lung cancer screening actually get one according to national averages. A scarce 4.5 percent of those at high risk are screened.
Multi-level barriers to lung cancer screening include the cost of the screening or copay, reaching individuals in medically underserved areas who may not engage with the health system and a lack of plain language in educational materials about the dangers of smoking. Low screening rates can be attributed to other challenges, from understanding eligibility criteria to the stigma associated with cigarette smoking — the leading cause of lung cancer.
Breast Cancer Screening
Although it is one of the most prevalent kinds of cancer in the U.S., breast cancer has a high cure rate if detected early. Almost 99 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest stage live for five years or more, unlike 32 percent of those diagnosed at the most advanced stage.
Screening every two years for women aged 50 to 74 reduces breast cancer deaths by 26 percent — that’s seven deaths averted for every 1,000 women screened. It has contributed to a 29 percent reduction in the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Mammograms are one of the most effective ways to detect breast cancer early. The USPSTF recommends that women aged 40 to 74 at average risk undergo mammograms every two years.
Despite these proven benefits of screening, disparities in screening rates remain. Factors such as access to healthcare, socioeconomic status and health insurance coverage can influence participation in breast cancer screenings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that barriers to screenings include lack of access, cost, being dissatisfied with life, feeling socially isolated, experiencing lost or reduced hours at work and not having reliable transportation.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., behind only lung cancer. Only 35 percent of colorectal cancers are found at an early stage. Non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native individuals have the highest rates of new colorectal cancer cases.
Boosting colorectal cancer screening rates to 80 percent could reduce the number of colorectal cancer diagnoses by 22 percent and deaths by 33 percent by 2030. Approximately 90 percent of adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer at an early stage live for five years or more compared to only 16 percent of those diagnosed with late-stage cancer.
Screening tests such as colonoscopies can find precancerous polyps, allowing physicians to remove them before they turn into cancer. Obstacles to colorectal cancer screening are common, though, from failure of physicians to recommend screening and scheduling difficulties to cost, lack of insurance coverage, gaps in knowledge, fear, embarrassment, pain and a lack of symptoms.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer screening has markedly reduced the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in the U.S. A Pap test identifies cervical cellular changes that could lead to cancer if untreated, allowing for early intervention by physicians.
The USPSTF recommends women aged 21 to 29 be screened for cervical cancer every three years with a Pap test alone in women. For women aged 30 to 65, the agency recommends a combination of Pap and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) tests be done every five years.
More than 90 percent of women diagnosed with an early stage of cervical cancer live for five years or more, compared to 20 percent of those diagnosed with late-stage cervical cancer. The five-year survival rate for cervical cancer is about 58 percent for non-Hispanic Black women and 67 percent for non-Hispanic White women, who are more often diagnosed at an earlier stage.
Despite the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening, barriers consist of a lack of confidence in the benefits of screening, inadequate recommendations from healthcare providers and a low perceived risk of cervical cancer can hinder routine testing. Women with lower incomes and less education and those without health insurance coverage get screened less often.
Leveraging Technology for Preventive Cancer Screening
Increasing education and awareness about preventive screenings for cancer can stimulate more individuals to participate in screenings. This proactive approach not only improves patient outcomes but also contributes to disease prevention and health promotion within communities, including those experiencing disparities in access to care.
The integration of digital health technologies is transforming how preventive care is delivered, making it more efficient and accessible. Many healthcare providers already employ technology for appointment scheduling to reduce wait times and no-shows or as a tool to help patients manage chronic conditions.
One of the newest tools healthcare practices can employ to remind patients to schedule preventive screenings is agentic artificial intelligence (AI). Agentic AI enables them to engage patients effectively at scale throughout their care journey and can be customized to personalize patient interactions while preserving privacy and reducing disparities.
Agentic AI tools already are used to aid physician practices in reducing missed patient appointments. Studies show that after implementing multi-modal reminders and automated engagement, patient no-show rates can drop as much as 35 to 40 percent. This improves patient care and ensures that preventive screenings remain a priority for patients.
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*More details on preventive screening recommendations can be found on the USPSTF website.
