February is National Cancer Prevention Month, which was first observed in 2014 and has since been recognized every February. The goal is to educate the public about the importance of cancer prevention and early detection.
The National Institutes of Health estimates that 2 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer (other than non-melanoma skin cancer) during 2024, and that more than 600,000 died from their disease. Research shows that more than 40% of these cases and nearly half of the deaths can be attributed to preventable causes—smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and excessive exposure to the sun, among others.
Cancer Screening Recommendations
These recommendations are for people at average risk for certain cancers. Talk to a doctor about which tests you might need and the screening schedule that’s right for you. It’s a good idea to also talk about risk factors, such as lifestyle behaviors and family history that may put you or your loved one at higher risk. TAKE THIS QUIZ to find out what cancer screenings are right for you.
