For a state long defined by its health challenges, every step toward progress is critical. The recent release of the 2025 America’s Health Rankings highlights both the challenges Louisiana still faces and the improvements worth recognizing.

One of the most encouraging findings is our state’s rise to 12th nationally for cancer screening, driven by strong gains in breast and colorectal screenings. These improvements show more Louisianians are using preventative care, which helps find cancer earlier when outcomes are better and costs are lower.

Just as important, more residents of Louisiana have a regular healthcare provider — an essential step in preventing cancer and managing chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension that contribute to cancer and other health differences.

At LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, our pursuit of NCI designation is about strengthening the systems and partnerships needed to improve prevention and early detection across the state of Louisiana. By investing in cancer prevention today, we can move our state toward improved health for all.

Encouraging Progress in Cancer Screening

Cancer screening is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce cancer-related deaths. When cancer is found early, treatment is often less aggressive, recovery is faster, and survival rates improve. Screening also reduces the financial and emotional burden on patients, families, and the healthcare system as a whole.

The recent improvements in cancer prevention in Louisiana suggest that residents are:

• Using preventative care
• Following recommended screening guidelines
• Engaging with healthcare providers before symptoms appear

While there is still work to be done — particularly to improve equal access across all communities — this progress shows what can happen when prevention is made a priority. By investing time and money in screening programs, education, and community outreach, we can keep the momentum going and extend these improvements to every corner of the state.

Prevention Beyond Screening: Healthcare Access for All Communities

Cancer screening is essential, but prevention doesn’t stop there. Many of the factors that increase cancer risk — such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, tobacco use, and limited access to routine care — can be addressed long before cancer ever develops.

This starts with having a primary healthcare provider who plays a critical role in finding risks early and supporting healthier lifestyle choices, like eating healthy, avoiding tobacco, exercising regularly, and staying up to date with check-ups.

A primary care provider also manages chronic conditions that fuel cancer risk. By addressing or monitoring these conditions, providers can reduce cancer diagnosis rates, improve outcomes, and create healthier communities statewide.

Despite recent progress, not all Louisianians benefit equally from cancer prevention and early detection. Barriers such as limited access to care, transportation challenges, and lack of insurance drive differences in cancer risk, diagnosis, and outcomes — especially in rural communities, where roughly 15% of Louisiana residents live.

Prevention remains one of the most effective ways to close these gaps. By expanding access to screening and providing education and services within community settings, we can reach people who are most at risk long before cancer becomes advanced or harder to treat.

By prioritizing prevention and equal health outcomes, we can ensure recent gains translate into lasting, statewide impact.

The Role of LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center and NCI Designation

National Cancer Institute, or NCI, designation plays a key role in strengthening cancer prevention across Louisiana. It brings funding, accountability, and infrastructure needed to expand prevention programs, improve early detection, and translate research into real-world impact in our state.

NCI designation also supports collaboration across health systems, researchers, and communities. This ensures our prevention efforts are measurable and focused on the populations that need them most.

By pursuing NCI designation, LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center is investing in cancer prevention and healthier outcomes across the state and country.

Looking Ahead in Cancer Prevention

Louisiana’s recent progress shows that cancer prevention works. However, progress must be protected and expanded. By continuing to invest in prevention, early detection, and access to care, we can build on the momentum of today to create a healthier future for every community across Louisiana.