February’s National Cancer Prevention Month gives us a moment to pause and ask: What do we really mean by cancer prevention?
Most of the time, we say and hear things like: “eat better and exercise more.” Those habits absolutely matter. Not smoking, staying active, and eating a balanced diet can lower your cancer risk but they’re only part of the picture.
If we’re serious about prevention, we have to talk about early detection--- catching cancer early or finding precancerous changes before they turn into cancer. That means getting evidence‑based screenings on time, not just trying to live a “healthy lifestyle.”
The American Cancer Society estimates that at least 40% of new cancers in U.S. adults in 2025 could be avoided by reducing risk factors and following recommended screenings.
Why Your Personal Risk Matters
Cancer prevention is also deeply personal. Two people the same age may have very different screening needs based on family history and other risk factors.
I’ll share my own example:
My dad died of melanoma at 59, so I see a dermatologist every year to check my skin/moles and sometimes have gone in between for something I was not sure about. My mom had colon cancer in her early 40s, so I started colorectal cancer screening earlier than most people as I had blood in my stool in my mid-30’s. At 49, I’ve already had two colonoscopies.
That kind of family history is exactly what should trigger earlier and more intensive screening than the “average‑risk” guidelines. I also recently learned about Lynch syndrome, an inherited condition that can significantly increase the risk of colorectal and several other cancers. I haven’t gone down that path yet, but at least I’ve been screened and now have more information.
This isn’t something you have to figure out alone. Talk to your primary care provider, OB/GYN, or another trusted clinician. Bring your family history, even if it feels incomplete. It’s a powerful tool for prevention.
The Alarming Rise of Colorectal Cancer in Younger Adults
I had to include this important note on colorectal cancer(CRC) in younger adults. Recent data show that about 1 in 5 people diagnosed with CRC are now 55 or younger, and CRC has become the leading cause of cancer death for men under 50 and the second for women under 50. I personally know a few people in the early 40’s who had NO symptoms, yet had cancerous polyps.
Symptoms one should NEVER ignore: blood in the stool, rectal bleeding, unexplained iron‑deficiency anemia, persistent changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or ongoing abdominal pain.
If something feels off and doesn’t go away, don’t dismiss it as “just stress” or a minor gut issue.
Tell your doctor, a clinician, a nurse or any health professional and be specific about symptoms.
Where I See the Biggest Need in My Day-to-Day: FQHC’s & Rural Areas
The places that lack the most resources are rural communities and FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers). According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), FQHCs care for more than 30million people in the U.S. who often have lower incomes, limited insurance, and higher social risk factors. I hear similar stories from organizations all over the United States which is--- they don’t have enough resources to move the needle on cancer screening. This is backed up by data too.
A recent JAMA Internal Medicine study by Dr. Prajakta Adsul, Dr. Jane Montealegre, Dr. Trisha Amboree, et al., shows that cancer screening rates in FQHC’s lag far behind national averages:
- Breast cancer screening: about 45% of eligible FQHC patients vs. roughly 78% nationally
- Cervical cancer screening: about 51% at FQHCs vs. around 83% nationally
- Colorectal cancer screening: roughly 40% at FQHCs vs. about 72% nationwide
According to recent JAMA and American Cancer Society analyses:
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Lung cancer screening is even further behind; nationally, only about 1 in 5 adults who qualify for annual low‑dose CT lung cancer screening are up to date (roughly 18–19%) and uptake appears especially low in FQHCs despite higher smoking rates and higher lung cancer burden.
Where Digital Health Tools Can Help
Digital health tools aren’t a magic wand, but they can make a real difference when they’re used well.
That’s where behavioral science really matters. Small design choices like making the next step easy, using clear, plain‑language messages, “nudging” people and timing reminders, can shift behavior in a big way.
There’s growing evidence that when you build these ideas into digital tools, you don’t just raise awareness; you change what people do---from medication adherence to cancer screening.
How mPATH Helps Clinics Close Screening Gaps
This is exactly the space where mPATH Health lives. mPATH was designed to help clinics move from “we care about prevention” to “we can prove our patients are getting screened on time.” It pairs patient‑friendly digital engagement with data‑driven workflows so that FQHCs, rural health systems, and other organizations can close screening gaps without burning out their teams.
mPATH Health’s digital navigation platform consistently increases screening rates among Medicaid, uninsured, rural, and other underserved populations, helping partners exceed Healthy People 2030 goals and national quality benchmarks while advancing equitable preventive care.
mPATH Health PROGRAM IMPACT
• 45% to 100% Higher Screening Rates: Our peer-reviewed research in JAMA and Annals of Internal Medicine show mPATH increases screening rates by 45% (lung screening) to 100%(colorectal cancer screening) compared to EHR-only reminders.
• Increased Screening for All: Automated, multilingual outreach coupled with behavioral science increases screening completion regardless of race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, or rural/urban residency.
• Data-Driven Insights: Track and report screening improvements by demographics, demonstrating value toothers.
• Boosts UDS and HEDIS Measures: Improves performance on quality metrics that are tied to public reporting and value-based incentives
For clinics that already believe in prevention but are overwhelmed by day‑to‑day demands, tools like mPATH help turn “we should do better” into “we are doing better and here’s the data to prove it.”
Expanding What We Mean by Cancer Prevention
As we mark National Cancer Prevention Month, maybe the invitation is to broaden our definition of prevention. Yes, keep talking about diet and exercise, but also normalize knowing your family history and personal risk factors. Cancer prevention isn’t just about willpower or lifestyle, it’s about information, access, and systems that make the healthy, preventive choice the easiest one to take.
Disclosure
I work at mPATH Health as a Digital Health Technology Advisor. If your FQHC, rural health system, or primary care clinic is trying to close cancer screening gaps, especially with limited staff and resources, I’m always happy to compare notes and share what we’re seeing work in the field.
If You Want to Learn More
You can learn more about mPATH Health’s approach and published results at our website, or reach out to me directly to continue the conversation.
www.mpathhealth.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-regan33/
Sources
- Adsul P, Amboree T, Montealegre J, et al. “National Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Use in US Federally Qualified Health Centers.” JAMA Internal Medicine. 2024.
- Fedewa SA, et al. “Lung Cancer Screening in the US, 2022.” JAMA Internal Medicine. 2024, and American Cancer Society analysis showing only about 1 in 5 eligible adults are up to date with low‑dose CT lung cancer screening.