(Part 2 of a two-part series)
April is National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
Month, a great time to learn about - or be reminded of - healthy habits that
can prevent cancer and how early detection can improve outcomes. The most
powerful tools against cancer are prevention and catching potential issues
before they advance. Check out the first post in this series about
prevention, then read on to learn more about screenings and detection.
Your Summit Medical Group provider and the advanced technology offered at our four Knoxville-area Summit Diagnostic Imaging Centers and Summit Diagnostic Center in Greeneville, Tennessee, can help you take proactive steps toward a healthier life while providing the needed information to make informed decisions about screenings and results.
Cancer Detection
When cancer is detected early, treatment is often less invasive and more successful. Summit Medical Group offers multiple tests, screenings, imaging and other detection methods aimed at early cancer detection, including:
- Lung Cancer Screening: A low-dose CT scan is a painless, non-invasive way to monitor lung health. Learn more about lung cancer screening here.
- Breast Cancer Screening: Women should start getting annual screening mammograms at age 40. Summit Medical Group offers both traditional and 3D mammograms, which are fully covered by most insurance providers, including Medicare. Find out more about breast cancer screenings here.
- Advanced Detection: The Galleri® Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test is now available at Summit Medical Group for eligible patients. It's a groundbreaking blood test that can detect a signal shared by more than 50 types of cancer. While it doesn't replace routine screenings like mammograms or colonoscopies, it adds an extra layer of protection. Read more about it here.
There are many other options for cancer detection and screenings. Talk to your Summit Medical Group provider about which ones are right for you.
The Case for Early Detection
According to the American Cancer Society's Cancer
Facts and Figures Report 2026:
- For the first time, the five-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined has reached 70% due to better treatment and early detection.
- Lung cancer remains the deadliest, projected to cause approximately 125,000 deaths in 2026.
- Breast cancer continues to be the most common diagnosis among women but has declined since its peak in 1989 by 44% because of earlier detection and improved treatment.
- Prostate cancer is the leading diagnosis for men other than skin cancer but has declined by half since 1993 through earlier detection with PSA testing and treatment advances.
Make a Plan
This April, consider reviewing your habits to see where you can add movement to your day or cut down on sun exposure. Think about your family history and other risk factors - as well as any overdue screenings you know you have - and make a list. Schedule an appointment with your Summit Medical Group provider to review your list and discuss which screenings are right for you.