Preventing Chronic Diseases:

Investing Wisely in Health

Screening to Prevent

Cancer Deaths U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

AND HUMAN SERVICES

The Reality

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in America, exceeded 

only by heart disease. Every year cancer claims the lives of more 

than a half million people. Many cancer deaths could be avoided 

if more people were screened for cancer.

Screening for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers can reduce 

illness and death through early detection of cancers and precancers.

Yet many adults are not getting regular life-saving screenings as 

recommended. According to CDC’s National Center for Health 

Statistics, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers accounted for 

nearly one fifth of all U.S. cancer deaths in 2001.

The Cost of Cancer

According to the National Institutes of Health, cancer cost the 

U.S. an estimated $219 billion in 2007, including $130 billion 

for lost productivity and $89 billion in direct medical costs.

Each year:

 • Colorectal cancer treatment costs about $8.4 billion.

 • Breast cancer treatment costs nearly $7 billion.

 • Cervical cancer treatment costs about $160 million.

Cancer Screening Saves Lives

Early detection could substantially reduce the billions of dollars 

spent on cancer treatment each year. Not only does cancer screening save lives by detecting breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers 

early; it also is the first step in preventing many colorectal and 

cervical cancers from ever developing:

 • Routine screening can reduce the number of people who die 

from colorectal cancer by at least 60%.

 • A mammogram performed every 1–2 years for women aged

40 years and over can reduce mortality by approximately 

20%–25% during a 10-year period.

 • Pap tests can detect precancerous lesions so they can be treated 

before cervical cancer develops. Researchers in many countries 

found that rates of cervical cancer death dropped by 20%–60% 

after screening programs began.

Revised August 2008

Colorectal

Deaths: 26,881 men; 26,699 women

Diagnosed: 73,997 men; 71,086 women

• 3rd most common cancer and 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths (of cancers

that affect both men and women)

• Primary risk factor: Age; 90% of new cancer cases diagnosed in adults over 50

Breast

Deaths: 40,954 women

Diagnosed: 186,772 women

• 2nd leading cause of cancer death

among women, exceeded only by lung

cancer

• Primary risk factor: Age; 77% of breast

cancer diagnosed in women over 50

Cervical

	 Deaths: 3,850 women

Diagnosed: 11,892 women

Cancer Facts, United States, 2004*

≤50% 50.1%–60% 60.1%–70% ≥70.1% Did not

participate

In the survey Percent of respondents tested

NJ

DC

DE

MA

MD

NH

VT

CT

RI

Percentage of Adults Aged 50 Years or Older who

Reported Receiving a Fecal Occult Blood Test Within 

the Past Year and/or a Lower Endoscopy in the

Preceeding 10 Years, by State, 2006

Source: CDC. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2006.

* The most recent year for which statistics are available.
Cancer Screening: A Good Investment

Health economists generally agree that an intervention is cost 

effective if it can save 1 year of life for less than $50,000. Screening

for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers is indisputably cost 

effective:

 • Screening for colorectal cancer extends life at a cost of $11,890 

to $29,725 per year of life saved.

 • A mammogram every 2 years extends life for women aged 65 

or older at a cost of about $36,924 per year of life saved.

 • Pap screening every 3 years extends life at a cost of about 

$5,392 per year of life saved.

Effective Strategies

More than 3.2 million low-income women have been screened 

for cancer through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early 

Detection Program (NBCCEDP). The program gives underserved 

women increased access to screening services so that cancer can be 

detected early. It also helps women with cancer diagnoses receive 

needed treatment. Currently all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, the 

District of Columbia, and 12 American Indian/Alaska Native 

organizations participate in the program. The NBCCEDP continues to establish, expand, and improve community-based screening 

and diagnostic services.

The Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign

launched in 1999, encourages men and women aged 50 years

or older to be screened regularly for colorectal cancer. Campaign 

partners include 50 state health departments, two tribes and 

tribal organizations, and the District of Columbia. All of the 

partners use localized versions of the Screen for Life public service 

announcements and participate in community projects that use 

the campaign materials.

Hope for the Future

Many American adults are alive and healthy today because they 

were screened for cancer, and every year more people are being 

screened.

Strong scientific evidence shows that regular colorectal cancer 

screening beginning at age 50 reduces incidence and mortality 

from colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer screening can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed and prevent cancer from 

developing. Screening also can detect colorectal cancer at an early 

stage when treatment can be most effective. According to the U.S. 

Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), regular screening for 

colorectal cancer can reduce deaths by as much as 60%.

Deaths from breast and cervical cancers occur disproportionately 

among women who are uninsured or underinsured. Mammography

and Pap tests are underused by women who have no source or no 

regular source of health care, women without health insurance,

and women who immigrated to the United States within the past 

10 years. CDC’s hope, in alignment with Healthy People 2010

goals, is to increase enrollment of these women in preventive 

screening programs.

State Program in Action:

State and Tribal Programs Collaborating

for Greater Success

In South Dakota, two National 

Breast and Cervical Cancer 

Early Detection Programfunded programs—Cheyenne 

River Sioux Tribal Project and 

All Women Count!—are collaborating to better serve the 

population of American Indian women in their state. 

The state’s All Women Count! program serves as the portal 

for women in both programs to access Medicaid through 

the Medicaid Treatment Act. The Sioux Tribal Project 

assists in resolving issues that affect Native American 

women served by All Women Count! They hold joint 

meetings, provide technical assistance between programs,

participate in coalitions, and share resources. The programs are developing health messages and materials to 

more effectively reach this underserved population. 

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Demonstration Program

Five Sites Explore Strategies for Screening Underserved

Populations

Fewer people are screened for colorectal cancer than

for other types of cancer. In fact in 2006, only 61%

of adults in the United States who are recommended

to be screened for colorectal cancer were screened; those 

without health insurance were least likely to be screened.

To determine the effectiveness of a national screening 

program for underserved people, CDC established

a 3-year colorectal cancer screening demonstration

program at five sites:

 • Baltimore City Colon Cancer Screening Program 

(Maryland Department of Health and Mental 

Hygiene)

 • Missouri Screen for Life (Missouri Department

of Health and Senior Services)

 • Nebraska Colon Cancer Screening Program (Nebraska 

Department of Health and Human Services)

 • Project SCOPE (Stony Brook University Medical

Center/SUNY, New York)

 • Washington Colon Health Program (Public Health, 

Seattle and King County, Seattle, Washington)

Each site screens low-income men and women who have 

inadequate or no health insurance coverage for colorectal 

cancer screening. The program sites also provide diagnostic follow-up, conduct public education and outreach, 

and evaluate program effectiveness.

For more information and references supporting these 

facts, please visit www.cdc.gov/nccdphp.