Early detection of cancer saves lives, and screenings are on the front line in this battle. We’ve listed below some important resources to help you obtain free screenings and get financial assistance with medical care costs if you’ve been diagnosed with this disease.
Prostate Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts and Figures 2020, there were about 161,360 new cases of prostate cancer and 26,730 deaths from the disease. In the male US population, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer (outside of skin cancer) and third leading cause of cancer death for men. Almost 80% of all cases are diagnosed at the localized stage when the survival rate is nearly 100%. The number drops dramatically when prostate cancer is diagnosed in later stages, however, to 31% for those diagnosed with advanced disease.
If you’re looking for a local physician to conduct a prostate cancer screening, there are many resources on the following page: https://zerocancer.org/test-centers/. Use the online search form to find a testing center and free screening program near you.
Breast & Cervical Cancer
The ACS reports that among US females, approximately 252,710 cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in 2019. Six out of every ten cases of breast cancer are diagnosed at the localized stage with a five year survival rate of 99%. Early detection and treatment are the keys to this statistic because both are closely tied to improved treatment options and survival outcomes. Because of early detection programs, deaths from breast cancer have declined steadily since 1989. While cervical cancer is less common, it is also due in large part to early screening programs that detect cervical changes before they become cancerous. Screening saves lives. Don’t let the cost get in the way of good self-care.
For free breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment, visit the following CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/. Use the online search function to locate a free screening provider near where you live.
Colorectal Cancer
Approximately 95,920 cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) will be diagnosed in the United States in 2020. CRC is the second leading cause of death from cancer for men and women. CRC was responsible for 50,260 deaths in 2017 alone. Only 39% of colorectal cancer is detected at the localized stage, which has a survival rate of 90%. CRC screening to detect cancer dramatically improves chances of surviving the disease if caught early.
The colorectal cancer control program administered by the CDC offers many resources from free screenings to specialists in your area that can help with your medical treatment. To find free screening resources near you, visit the following web page: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/crccp/about.htm.
Screening programs like these can help to catch cancer in its earliest stages so that treatment and cure are possible. If you cannot afford screening, these programs offer financial assistance to those in need.
Free Financial Help for Cancer Patients
For anyone who’s been diagnosed with cancer, the expenses can mount quickly. If you need help paying the bills, please see our resource links on our website for free financial help for cancer patients.
I am at that stage where every little lump feels like a breast cancer symptom to me! At 25, I feel like a free screening is God sent!
Thank you for the informative article.
Hi Jen! We are so happy to hear you are taking steps to protect your health. Be sure to speak with a medical professional as soon as possible about your concerns to alleviate your worry and get access to any care you may need. All the best to you.
I had no idea that early detection could mean an infinitely higher survival rate.
Screening is key! It really can make the difference between treating and curing the disease.
It is ridiculous that I had no idea colorectal reached such a high diagnosis rate in 2017. We need more outlets like yours; actual information with zero fluffers.
Great work, guys!
Thank you for your visit and your kind words, Helen! We are thrilled to know the information is helpful to you!