Nevada Battles Low Cancer Screening Rates Amid Push for Innovative Early Detection
Nevada faces notable challenges in cancer prevention and early detection, ranking poorly in several critical nationwide metrics. The state lags significantly in screening adherence for major cancers, including colorectal cancer 47th nationally per America's Health Rankings, and performs near the bottom for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in Nevada, with dismal rankings in early-stage diagnosis 49th out of 50, screening rates 42nd out of 51, and treatment access last in many categories, per the American Lung Association's State of Lung Cancer 2025 report. Breast cancer reveals a troubling disparity: Nevada has one of the lowest rates of new cases nationally, but the death rate from it ranks sixth highest in the country, according to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts & Figures 2025. Ultimately, these poor rankings stem from lower screening rates, limited access to quality care and specialists, and other barriers like physician shortages, fewer doctors per resident, and differences in follow-up treatment.
Early detection dramatically improves survival chances for many cancers, with the American Cancer Society noting that catching cancer at an early, localized stage often leads to much higher survival rates compared to later stages. For example, colorectal cancer has a 91% five-year survival rate when detected early, and similar benefits apply across breast, lung, and other major cancers through timely screening and intervention. Early detection saves lives across many cancers, but barriers like unpleasant or inconvenient traditional screening methods have left more than one in three eligible Americans—over 54 million people—unscreened.
A promising advancement for colorectal screening is the new Shield blood test from Guardant Health, recently FDA-approved as a primary option for average-risk adults 45 and older. This simple blood draw eliminates bowel prep and invasive procedures, providing a convenient alternative to reach thousands of unscreened Nevadans.
“Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in adults under 50,” said Dr. Richmond Ramirez, a Las Vegas-based, board-certified family physician. “It is highly treatable when caught early. I’m glad that they are launching Shield Across America in Las Vegas to increase awareness and get more people screened right here in the Silver State.”
To raise awareness of colorectal cancer, Nevada's low screening rates, the critical role of early detection for all cancers, and convenient new options like the Shield blood test, Guardant Health is bringing its Shield Across America mobile screening tour to the Fan Zone at the Pennzoil 400 NASCAR weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway from March 13-15, 2026. Attendees are encouraged to stop by the mobile unit to learn more about this FDA-approved, no-prep blood-based screening and discuss it with their doctor.
Health experts strongly recommend that Nevadans consult their healthcare providers about screenings for colorectal, lung, breast, cervical, and other cancers, as wider use of early detection—particularly through innovative and accessible tools—could significantly reduce the state's overall cancer burden. These challenges underscore important policy progress: In 2025, the Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 234, sponsored by Assemblymember Natha Anderson, which requires Medicaid to cover evidence-based screenings for lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers (expanding on existing coverage for breast and cervical cancers) to help overcome barriers for low-income residents and advance equity in cancer prevention.
