Advocates Push for Easier Access to Prostate Cancer Screenings in Pennsylvania
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Asia Tabb
AIRED; September 22, 2025
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Prostate cancer is one of the most urgent health issues facing men in Pennsylvania, according to cancer advocates and survivors who are working to remove barriers to early detection.
“Prostate cancer remains the second most common new diagnosis for cancer in Pennsylvania, second only to breast cancer,” said Donna Greco, Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society of Pennsylvania. “We know that if caught early, like most cancers, it is treatable. But screening is really important in detecting prostate cancer early.”
This year alone, more than 13,000 Pennsylvanians are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and nearly 1,500 are projected to die from it. “These are brothers, fathers, sons, colleagues,” Greco said. “We want to be doing everything we can to make sure screening is in reach for high-risk men so that we can catch it early, treat it, and prevent unnecessary deaths.”
Barriers to Early Detection
The American Cancer Society recommends screenings based on age, ancestry, race, and family history. But Greco said those guidelines are not always applied evenly. “There’s inconsistency in terms of people’s awareness and knowledge about when they should be screened,” she explained. “And then that conversation is not always happening with their healthcare provider.”
Financial challenges are another hurdle. “We know that mounting medical debt is a concern for people with cancer,” Greco said. “Medical debt and financial hardship then get in the way of people accessing timely screenings.”
For uninsured or underinsured men, the stakes are even higher. “If you’re worried about getting food on the table, covering your rent, your mortgage, your basic needs, going for that cancer screening may not rise to the level that it should,” Greco said. “Removing cost as a barrier could make a huge difference.”
A Survivor’s Perspective
For Col. Jim Williams, a retired military officer and prostate cancer survivor, early detection made all the difference. Williams was diagnosed in 1991 after a routine blood test revealed something abnormal. A referral to a urologist and further testing confirmed prostate cancer.
“I was lucky,” Williams said. “It was caught early, it was treated aggressively, and my healthcare plan paid for it. I thought my journey was the standard of care in the United States, but soon found out that my journey was the exception and not the rule. That’s why I got involved with patient advocacy.”
Williams underwent surgery at Mayo Clinic and has now been cancer-free for 34 years. He credits his military background—where regular physicals and fitness were routine—with preparing him to take the diagnosis seriously. But he’s quick to point out that many men avoid doctors until it’s too late.
“Men say, ‘I’ve never felt better in my life. Why do I need to go to the doctor?’” Williams said. “I have to point out to them that waiting too late can mean not being there to see your grandchildren grow up. If you want to live and enjoy retirement, taking care of yourself is very, very important.”
Knowledge is Power
Both Greco and Williams emphasize the need for public awareness, healthcare provider engagement, and policies that ensure screenings are accessible.
“The biggest challenge in men’s health is knowledge is power,” Williams said. “The best time to diagnose prostate cancer is in its early stages, before there are any symptoms. Going to the doctor when you’re well is the key.”
Advocates hope that by breaking down financial and awareness barriers, Pennsylvania can reduce deaths from one of the state’s most common—and preventable—cancers.
