With the busy pace of life today, healthcare can sometimes feel like less of a priority than other daily activities. Also known as ‘Check Up Day’, Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day is observed every third Tuesday of September. It is a reminder that visiting a doctor regularly is just as important as eating your greens, exercising, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

This day was launched in 2002 by radio personality Tom Joyner in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The initiative was designed to reduce health disparities, promote preventive care, and encourage African Americans to seek regular healthcare. This is especially important in the context of cancer prevention, as African Americans face higher cancer death rates compared to other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S.

Given the impact of racial disparities on cancer outcomes, prevention and early detection are critical to overcoming differences in outcomes and improving chances of survival for all cancer patients. From 1975 to 2020, 5.94 million cancer deaths were averted for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers, with 4.75 million deaths (80%) prevented through screening and early detection efforts. For this reason, it is important not to overlook any warning signs or persistent discomfort that could be a telltale sign of cancer. One way to confirm or dismiss suspicion about a health concern is to schedule an appointment and see a doctor.

With that in mind, here are 3 cancer screening facts that could save a loved one’s life.

Fact 1: Early Detection Saves Lives

Early detection plays a significant role in cancer management and its outcomes. Getting screened for certain cancers is sort of like randomly flying a drone over your porch or backyard for signs of intruders. It is a preventative measure to keep individuals aware of their health status.

Expert Insights on Cancer Early Detection and Prevention

In our interview with Dr. Fengting Yan, a leading oncologist at the Swedish Cancer Institute, she discusses updated screening guidelines for women's cancers and comprehensive prevention measures. She shared, “In my practice, while I primarily focus on women’s cancer, I ensure that all patients stay current with their cancer screenings. I recommend that women begin annual mammograms at age 40 and keep up with regular Pap smears. Additionally, colonoscopies are now advised to start at age 45. For patients with a family history of cancers, such as breast, ovarian, or colon cancer, I suggest beginning screenings about 10 years earlier than the age at which a relative was diagnosed. For past smokers, I also recommend a low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) for lung cancer screening. I review these personalized screening guidelines with each patient at every visit to promote early detection and improve outcomes.”

And early detection does not always mean undergoing complex procedures. It can be as simple as showing up for regular check-ups, which often catch problems before they become serious. For example, screenings like mammograms or Pap smears are designed to find cancers early, even before symptoms appear. Women can elect to begin annual mammogram screening at age 40 for breast cancer prevention, even though the recommended age is 45. A Pap smear, which screens for cervical cancer, is recommended every 3 years for women ages 21 to 29, and every 5 years from ages 30 to 65 with an HPV test alone or in combination with a Pap smear.

Prevention also extends to vaccines that protect against infections linked to cancer. For example, the HBV vaccine prevents chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus, thereby reducing the risk of liver cancer. Likewise, the HPV vaccine protects against several strains of the human papillomavirus, a common sexually transmitted infection. Persistent infection with certain high-risk HPV types can lead to cancers, including cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal (head and neck) cancers. The CDC recommends HPV vaccines for all adolescents and for adults up to age 26 who are not already vaccinated.

Fact 2: Many Cancers Show No Symptoms in Early Stages

Because some cancers are slow-growing and may not manifest clinically until an advanced stage, regular screenings and doctor’s visits can catch what symptoms fail to reveal. Moreover, some cancer symptoms can masquerade as a nagging stomach pain, a seemingly harmless mole(such as in the case of melanoma), or even just persistent fatigue.

For example, silent or slow-growing cancers—such as prostate, certain types of breast, thyroid, and ovarian—often do not cause symptoms in their early stages. Because these cancers are “silent,” screening or even annual wellness checks play a critical role in finding them early, well before symptoms appear, making treatment more effective and even curative in many cases. If you have a family history of cancer, this places you in a high-risk category, and you may be eligible for certain genetic testing or screening. This allows for early intervention or active monitoring.

A good example is Nikki McCoy, a breast cancer patient who shared her story with us at <u>The Cancer News</u>. “I had the BRCA1 gene mutation in my family, and after I learned about it, I knew I had to take proactive steps to manage my risk... I would encourage people to take advantage of genetic counseling and not just the genetic testing.” Nikki’s efforts to get ahead of her high risk, stay engaged with her doctors, and remain proactive in her care have led her to being cancer-free four years after diagnosis.

Fact 3: Disparities in Access Put Lives at Risk

Getting screened for cancer may not be a walk in the park for certain communities. Beyond the effort of scheduling an appointment, structural and socioeconomic barriers can make accessing preventive care challenging. This is why Take a Loved One to the Doctor’s Day was established. It is a call to raise awareness about cancer care disparities, highlight lesser-known solutions, and push for continued action to minimize gaps in care.

Underserved and under-resourced communities face higher rates of late-stage cancer diagnosis, which could be partly due to challenges in screening access. A 2023 study found that patients in high-poverty rural areas had higher odds of late-stage lung and breast cancer diagnoses compared to those in low-poverty urban areas. Another study showed that uninsured individuals often have many risk factors for colorectal cancer, yet their reported rates of screening remain low. Underfunded safety-net clinics often lack the resources needed for comprehensive screening, contributing to higher cancer mortality in these populations.

Supporting loved ones who may delay screenings due to these barriers is crucial. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide accessible, affordable preventive care in underserved communities. Contacting a local FQHC can help you understand available services, after which you can discuss insurance coverage and check for access to free programs like Washington State’s Breast, Cervical, and Colon Health Program.

You can also help your loved ones by identifying low-cost or free screening programs, providing transportation or childcare, and offering empathetic encouragement to counter mistrust or fear rooted in historical disparities. These concrete steps empower individuals to overcome systemic obstacles and prioritize preventive care.

This idea of support and advocacy came up in our interview with Dr. Alan Balch, the Chief Executive Officer of the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF), who emphasized the importance of self-advocacy, or the advocacy of a loved one, when navigating the healthcare system. _“Ideally, patients can learn to advocate for themselves, but we recognize that it is a lot to ask when someone is already feeling vulnerable. That is why we also support caregivers, who often become the most consistent advocates in a patient’s journey. We try to empower patients and caregivers with tools and training to build confidence and navigate their care or advocate on someone’s behalf.” _

Conclusion

National Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day is a great opportunity to visit a physician and get screened for certain cancers if you are eligible. This day reminds us to stay proactive about our health and wellness. Cancer prevention and early detection also hinge on self-awareness. It can be as simple as knowing how to perform a breast self-exam, understanding your family history, and taking advantage of free health resources. Prioritizing preventive cancer care is never too late. Visit your doctor, learn about your risk, and take recommended actions to keep cancer a moonshot away. You can do this and advocate for a loved one to see a doctor as well. For more resources on cancer prevention and early detection, visit the American Cancer Society (ACS) or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your doctor about your eligibility for any specific cancer screening.

Other Works Discussed

• Setyawati, R., Astuti, A., Utami, T. P., Adiwijaya, S., & Hasyim, D. M. (2024). The importance of early detection in disease management. Journal of World Future Medicine, Health and Nursing, 2(1), 51-63.

• American Cancer Society. (2024, June 13). Study shows HPV immunization lowers risk of developing cancer. Cancer.org. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/study-shows-hpv-immunization-lowers-risk-of-developing-cancer.html

• Fiscella, K., Humiston, S., Hendren, S., Winters, P., Jean-Pierre, P., Idris, A., & Ford, P. (2011). Eliminating disparities in cancer screening and follow-up of abnormal results: what will it take?. Journal of health care for the poor and underserved, 22(1), 83–100. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2011.0023