Survey: Cost concerns now rival fear of cancer diagnosis, leading to missed screenings
(WWAY) — A new national survey finds concerns about the cost of cancer screenings are now as common as the fear of being diagnosed with cancer, potentially leading more people to delay or skip routine care.
According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s 2026 Early Detection Survey, 34 percent of U.S. adults who worry about cancer screenings say cost is a concern. That matches the percentage of people who say they fear finding out they have cancer.
The survey also found 73 percent of adults are behind on at least one routine cancer screening, an increase from the previous year. Participants cited cost as one of the top reasons for missing screenings, with 35 percent saying it played a role.
Other commonly reported reasons included not knowing they needed to be screened and believing they were not at risk due to no family history of cancer.
Researchers say confusion about what screenings cost may be contributing to the issue. Among those who cited cost, half said they were worried about paying for the screening or appointment itself. Others expressed concern about follow-up care or missing work to attend appointments.
The foundation notes many routine cancer screenings are fully covered by private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, meaning patients may not have out-of-pocket costs.
The survey also found nearly one in five adults behind on screenings cited mistrust of the health care system as a factor, with some saying they believe the system prioritizes profit over patient care.
“Cost concerns continue to be a major barrier—not because screenings are always expensive, but because people don’t have clear information about what’s covered,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “When fear and confusion stop people from getting screened, we lose the chance to prevent cancer or catch it early.”
Health experts say early detection can improve outcomes and reduce long-term costs by identifying cancer at more treatable stages.
