Nearly three-quarters of American adults are behind on at least one routine cancer screening, and a growing share point to money as the reason. In the 2026 Prevent Cancer Early Detection Survey of 7,510 U.S. adults, 73% reported being behind on at least one recommended screening. Among those who feel worried when they think about screening, 34% named cost as their concern, up from 25% a year earlier.
That jump is significant because many of the screenings people are skipping are already covered at no out-of-pocket cost for most insured Americans. Under the Affordable Care Act, most private health plans and Medicaid expansion programs must cover a set of recommended cancer screenings without cost sharing, including mammograms, colonoscopies, Pap tests for cervical cancer, and low-dose CT scans for lung cancer in eligible current and former smokers.
Cost worry now rivals fear of the diagnosis
The Prevent Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit focused on early detection, ran the survey through Atomik Research between January 10 and January 30, 2026, with a margin of error of about 1 percentage point. It asked adults 21 and older about eight cancers: breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, oral, prostate, skin, and testicular.
The foundation reports that concern about the cost of routine screening now rivals the fear of being diagnosed with cancer as a barrier. Among people who cited cost, half pointed to the price of the screening or the appointment itself, 14% worried about the cost of follow-up care, and 12% mentioned lost income or missed work.
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"While we're encouraged to see some rebound in routine medical visits, the reality is that progress has stalled," said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, in the release accompanying the results. The foundation notes that many people are unsure what their own health plan actually covers, which can make routine screening feel more expensive than it is.
What the ACA covers, and what to do next
The mismatch matters. Screenings recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and delivered on the recommended schedule are covered without a copay for most insured adults. That includes the screenings most commonly skipped, such as colorectal cancer screening, breast screening with mammography, cervical screening with a Pap or HPV test, lung CT for eligible smokers and former smokers, and skin exams tied to counseling.
There is an important caveat. A test ordered because of symptoms, or a repeat test outside the recommended interval, can be billed as diagnostic rather than preventive and carry out-of-pocket costs. The Prevent Cancer Foundation advises calling the insurer before any appointment to confirm how a specific test will be coded and covered, so patients are not surprised by a bill.
Anyone with symptoms such as a lump, unexplained bleeding, a mole that is changing, or a persistent cough should raise them with a doctor rather than wait for the next routine screening. The foundation's Early Detection = Better Outcomes campaign points readers to preventcancer.org/betteroutcomes to check which tests are recommended at their age.
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This article is made and published by Jesper Bengtson, who may have used AI in the preparation.