Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, the American Cancer Society (ACS), Stand Up To Cancer, and Rally Health announced a new public health initiative called “Cancer Screen Week” urging every American to join together to make a difference in the fight against cancer by pledging to get their recommended cancer screenings.
According to ACS, screening significantly increases the chances of detecting certain cancers early, when they are most likely to be treated successfully. Every pledge increases the potential impact “Cancer Screen Week” can have on saving more lives from cancer. This year, “Cancer Screen Week” will take place Dec. 4-8, 2017, and annually thereafter the first week of December.
Even though about half of all men and a third of all women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, the overall cancer death rate has dropped by 25% over the past 20 years. Improvements in cancer screening and earlier detection of cancer have contributed to this progress. “Cancer Screen Week” is an annual call to action for everyone to talk to their doctor and get their recommended cancer screenings, many of which may be covered by insurance.
“The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 600,000 Americans were expected to die from cancer in 2017. Screening can catch many cancers early, when they’re most likely to be treated successfully. In fact, screening can actually prevent some cancers by finding and treating abnormalities that turn into cancer if left alone,” said Richard C. Wender, M.D., chief cancer control officer, The American Cancer Society. “‘Cancer Screen Week’ is a powerful reminder that it is possible to continue reducing cancer’s deadly toll through recommended regular screenings.”
Individuals can visit www.GetScreenedNow.org to take the pledge to get screened and receive a personalized list of recommended screenings, plus a list of simple actions they can take to help lower their risk for certain types of cancers. People who take the pledge are urged to encourage their family and friends to take the pledge as well. Employers and providers can visit www.CancerScreenWeek.org to find turnkey, customizable campaign materials they can use to promote cancer screenings among their employee and patient populations.
Governors of Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas signed proclamations declaring the first week of December as “Cancer Screen Week” in their states, reinforcing the importance of cancer screening and early detection for their citizens.
