Story at a glance
- Music icon Patti LaBelle is urging U.S. adults to undergo early cancer detection screenings.
- LaBelle teamed up with two cancer nonprofits for “Time to Screen,” an effort that encourages adults, especially those over the age of 40, to schedule screenings for six of the most common types of cancers.
- LaBelle lost all three of her sisters to cancer.
Music icon and Grammy winner Patti LaBelle is urging U.S. adults to undergo early cancer detection screenings.
LaBelle has teamed up with the nonprofit organizations the Community Oncology Alliance and CancerCare for a series of TV, digital and radio PSAs called “Time to Screen,” an effort that encourages adults, especially those over the age of 40, to schedule screenings for six of the most common types of cancers: skin, lung, breast, colorectal, cervical and prostate.
“I’ve learned timing is everything in life and right now, it’s time to take control of your health,” said LaBelle. “I know what it’s like to lose loved ones far too early to cancer. Don’t wait until it’s too late. I tell everyone, ‘Honey, it’s time to get screened.’”
The cause touches close to home for LaBelle, who lost all three of her sisters to cancer.
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The push comes amid a substantial decline in cancer screenings in 2020, most likely in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. According to research by the Community Oncology Alliance, in 2020 breast cancer screenings declined by 85 percent and colon cancer screenings declined by 75 percent.
“Staying current on recommended screenings is essential to maintaining your health,” said Patricia J. Goldsmith, chief executive officer of CancerCare. “The more people who hear this message and heed our call to action, the more support we can provide to ensure timely access to and information about vital screenings.”
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.
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