A Screening is a Start: Connecting South Carolinians to Cancer Care

Oct. 21, 2026

It is easy to put off a cancer screening, especially when you feel well. But that is when screening can be most useful. It checks for cancer before symptoms appear and can find some cancers when treatment may work best.

As of October 2026, the American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 37,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in South Carolina this year.

A screening is also the start of a process. Getting the result matters. So does knowing whether you need another test or treatment.

Why screening matters

Some screenings do more than find cancer early. Cervical and colorectal screening can find changes that may be treated or removed before they become cancer. The tests you need, and when you need them, depend on your age, health history, and other risk factors.

A healthcare professional can help you decide which screenings are right for you:

• Breast cancer: A mammogram can find cancer before you notice symptoms.
• Cervical cancer: HPV and Pap tests can find changes that may need care.
• Colorectal cancer: Screening can find cancer early. Some tests can also find growths that can be removed before they become cancer.
• Lung cancer: A low-dose CT scan is recommended for certain people with a history of heavy smoking. It is not a routine test for everyone.

Prostate cancer screening calls for a separate conversation. A PSA blood test has possible benefits and harms. A healthcare professional can help you decide whether it is right for you.

Vaccination can help prevent cancer, too. The human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine helps protect against types of HPV linked to six cancers: cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancer, which affects part of the throat. People who receive the vaccine still need recommended cervical cancer screening.

Primary care, or your family doctor, plays an important role throughout this process. A primary care professional can help you understand risk factors, how to stay up to date on recommended screenings and vaccinations, and connect to specialists or follow-up care when needed. An ongoing primary care relationship can also help ensure that results do not become the end of the story, but the next step toward appropriate care.

Why follow-up matters

A screening result may show that you need more testing. If cancer is found, treatment may be needed. But getting from one step to the next is not always simple. Appointments, travel and access to care can make follow-up harder, especially in rural communities.

That is why it matters to have a clear plan after a screening. Patients need to know when to expect their results and what to do if more care is needed.

Supporting care in rural South Carolina

The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation supports a three-year project with the South Carolina Office of Rural Health to strengthen cancer screening in rural health clinics. The Office of Rural Health aims to work with 15 rural clinics each year.

The project will help clinics improve their processes, strengthen referrals and track outcomes. The goal is to make it easier for patients to move from screening to any follow-up care they need. This work builds on the Foundation’s earlier support for cancer prevention and screening programs with the American Cancer Society in South Carolina.

Taking the next step

Cancer screening can lead to important answers, but it should not end with the test. Ask a healthcare professional which screenings are right for you. If you are screened, ask when you will get your results and whether you need to take another step.

Not sure where to start? The American Cancer Society offers cancer screening guidelines and a tool to find screening locations near you. For questions about screening or how to pay for it, call its 24/7 Cancer Helpline at 800-227-2345.