When was your last routine cancer screening? According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s 2026 Early Detection Survey, 73% of U.S. adults reported being behind on one or more of their routine cancer screenings. That’s a 4% increase over last year, underscoring a clear need to better understand the importance of routine cancer screenings—and to schedule yours.
This year, more than two million people in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with cancer. In Texas alone, 161,330 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2026. Yet survey results revealed that many adults fall behind on routine screenings simply because they didn’t know they needed them, believed a lack of family history meant they were not at risk, or were worried about the cost.
Don’t let these barriers stop you from getting screened for cancer. Routine cancer screenings can detect cancer early, often before there are even signs or symptoms, when treatment is more likely to be successful. If you aren’t sure what routine cancer screenings you need, the Prevent Cancer Foundation offers free, easy-to-use resources to guide you. Your health care provider can also help you get the information you need.
Of respondents who named cost as a reason for being behind, 50% said they were worried about the cost of the screening or appointment itself.* Many routine cancer screenings are fully covered by private insurance plans, Medicaid and Medicare, meaning patients often pay nothing out of pocket. If you don’t have insurance coverage, there are free and low cost resources available. Early detection doesn’t just save lives; it can also reduce treatment costs and expand treatment options.
Although it is important to know if you have a family history of cancer, most people who get cancer do not have a family history of the disease. A personal or family history of cancer or certain other diseases may increase your risk. Share your history with your health care provider and discuss whether you should start getting screened for some cancers earlier or more frequently.
Everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or socioeconomic factors, deserves an equal opportunity to stay ahead of cancer through prevention and early detection. It’s time for you to put your health first. Learn what cancer screenings you need and find free and low-cost screening options at preventcancer.org.
*In addition to the cost of the screening/appointment itself, respondents were also asked about costs related to loss of income from taking off work/missing a shift to get screened, the cost of transportation to get to/from the appointment, the cost of child care so I can go to the appointment, and the cost of follow-up appointments or care.
Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Lorena Saenz Gonzalez, spouse of U.S. Rep.Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) and a member of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families® Program. The column appears in the Rio Grande Guardian with the permission of the author.
