Over the last decade, the number of people seeking cancer screenings dropped, which has physicians and cancer organizations concerned.
The American Cancer Society, along with cancer experts across the country, promote preventive cancer screenings as a way to cut cancer death rates - especially for breast, colon and prostate cancer.
Chuck Reed with the American Cancer Society said confusion is part of the problem.
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"People aren't exactly sure when to go in to get that first screening," Reed said.
Reed said another reason for the drop is people fear bad news. Early detection, however, means a better chance of a cure.
Reed said people need to be proactive about their health.
"We can help people if they just follow the advice we give, so if they do indeed find cancer, we find it at an early stage," Reed said. "So, I'm more concerned about what's going to happen down the road as far as finding cancers in more advanced stages."
If women haven't had a mammogram by age 40, they need to go in; if men haven't had that colonoscopy by age 50, they need one. For other recommendations on when to get cancer screenings, go to Cancer.org.
- Florida News Connection
