The public's energy is focused on treating disease. It's time to balance that with a focus on early detection and healthy choices. We can save the lives of teens, young adults and others through awareness.
Act Early! Early Detection Saves Lives
Early detection works but it needs your help.
Be aware of your normal health. Check yourself. If your normal health changes, Act Early. See a medical provider and get checked. And if you're given advice or a treatment plan by your provider that just doesn't' seem right - self-advocate.
No group has felt the impact of late detection more than teens and young adults. Cancer survival rates for this age group (15 to 40) have not improved since 1975. Your personal commitment to become aware of your normal health and to Act Early has the power to save your life.
Early detection works
- Cervical cancer has a 93% survival rate* when found early and 15% survival rate if found at its latest stages. **
- Breast cancer found early has a 93% survival rate* and if caught late has a 6% survival rate. **
- Colon cancer found early has a 74% survival rate* compared to 6% if found at its latest stages. **
- Melanoma, a skin cancer, found early has a 97% survival rate* compared to 15%-20% if found late. **
- The most common thyroid cancer, papillary thyroid cancer, has a near 100% survival rate* at stage 1 and 2. It drops to 51% at a late stage 4.**
*Measured by 5 year survival rates
**Source: American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)
