ATLANTA, April 10, 2025 — At least 40% of new adult cancer diagnoses in the U.S. are linked to modifiable risk factors, and 5-10% of cancers may be linked to inherited genetic factors. With National Minority Health Month underway, the American Cancer Society calls for increased cancer risk assessment and screening. The American Cancer Society’s CancerRisk360 assessment tool provides individuals with a personalized, comprehensive assessment of cancer risk, along with resources and tools, as a first step toward reducing personal cancer risk.

Persistent inequalities and rising rates in cancer incidence underscore the importance of focusing on cancer prevention and screening to drive improved health outcomes. According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures 2025 report, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the U.S., and the leading cause of death in people younger than 85. Death rates for Native American and Black people are at least two times higher than White people for many largely preventable cancers. National Minority Health Month was established to raise awareness about the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority communities and reducing health disparities.

The American Cancer Society’s CancerRisk360 empowers individuals to prevent and detect cancer through a 5–10 minute online assessment. The tool evaluates an individual’s risk, taking into consideration genetic and hereditary markers, family history of cancer, adherence to recommended cancer screening guidelines, and daily life factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, and body weight. When the assessment is completed, individuals receive actionable next steps to help prevent and detect cancer, including getting recommended cancer screening tests based on current guidelines.

Cancer screening tests are used before a person has symptoms to help find cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be successful. The cancer mortality rate continued to decline through 2022, averting nearly 4.5 million deaths since 1991 because of smoking reductions, earlier detection for some cancers, and improved treatment. For cancer screening guidelines, visit ACS guidelines for the early detection of cancer.

CancerRisk360 prioritizes published, guideline-driven recommendations and is intended to be used for general information only and not intended to replace professional medical advice. Visit acscancerrisk360.cancer.org to assess your cancer risk. For more information on cancer screening, visit cancer.org/getscreened.

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This press release was originally published April 6, 2025, by the American Cancer Society. It is republished with permission.