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2023 Early Detection Survey

Screening knowledge and behaviors

The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s annual Early Detection Survey asks American adults ages 21 and older about their knowledge and behaviors around routine cancer screening.1 The most recent survey, conducted in January 2023, shows that 65% of survey respondents are not up to date on at least one of their routine cancer screenings.2

Here’s the good news: When people learn about the importance of early detection, it has a significant impact on motivating them to get screened.3 After reading information regarding cancer screening and which cancer screenings they need, 72% of people said they were more likely to schedule their next routine cancer screening.

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An infographic detailing results from an early detection survey. This graphic is specific to results concerning skin cancer. Highlights include that skin cancer is the most common diagnosis in the U.S. and it is also the one of the most preventable cancers. Nearly a quarter of Americans say they've never had a skin check for skin cancer. Reasons include not having any symptoms, not knowing they need to be checked and not being able to afford the cost.

 

1   The Prevent Cancer Foundation commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,014 Americans 21 years of age and older. The margin of error is +/- 2 percentage points with a confidence interval of 95%. Fieldwork took place between January 7 and January 11 of 2023.  Atomik Research is an independent market research agency.

2   The cancer screenings studied in this survey were for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, oral cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer and testicular cancer.

3   When cancer is detected early, it increases your chances for more successful treatment. You may also require less extensive treatment or have more treatment options. The five-year survival rate for many types of cancer is almost 90% when cancer is found in its earliest stages.

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