Cancer screening rates fall

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The number of people who have made routine medical appointments, or cancer screenings, in the past year has dropped dramatically according to the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

“Only 51 percent of the adults in the U.S. reported they had a routine medical appointment, or a routine cancer screening, in the past year,” according to foundation CEO Jody Hoyos. Screenings have dropped by 10 percent since the last survey in 2024.

“Routine screenings are for everyone. Very often cancer isn’t going to show symptoms in early stages,” Hoyos said. “One in seven adults in the U.S. decided that the reason they didn’t schedule their screenings is because they are skeptical of the health care system and that’s a 38 percent increase over last year.”

The highest screening rates are among women being screened for breast cancer.