Policy & access

Screening rules, coverage, and prevention policy — with jurisdiction labeled clearly.

Every page here follows one idea: what happened, why it matters, and what it does not mean. Educational only — not medical advice.

• Colorectal cancer · 2021USPSTF lowers the recommended colorectal-cancer screening age to 45USPSTF lowers the recommended colorectal-cancer screening age to 45 (United States, 2021). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Breast cancer · 2023USPSTF draft recommends breast screening start at age 40USPSTF draft recommends breast screening start at age 40 (United States, 2023). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Lung cancer · 2021USPSTF broadens lung-cancer screening eligibilityUSPSTF broadens lung-cancer screening eligibility (United States, 2021). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cancer · 2015The WHO lists essential cancer medicinesThe WHO lists essential cancer medicines (International, 2015). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cervical cancer · 2020The WHO adopts a global cervical-cancer elimination strategyThe WHO adopts a global cervical-cancer elimination strategy (International, 2020). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Lung cancer · 1998The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement is signedThe Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement is signed (United States, 1998). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cancer · 1983The Orphan Drug Act incentivizes rare-cancer treatmentsThe Orphan Drug Act incentivizes rare-cancer treatments (United States, 1983). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cancer · 1971The National Cancer Act launches the U.S. cancer programThe National Cancer Act launches the U.S. cancer program (United States, 1971). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cancer · 2022The Inflation Reduction Act allows Medicare to negotiate some drug pricesThe Inflation Reduction Act allows Medicare to negotiate some drug prices (United States, 2022). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Lung cancer · 2022The FDA moves to ban menthol cigarettesThe FDA moves to ban menthol cigarettes (United States, 2022). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Lung cancer · 2009The FDA gains authority to regulate tobacco productsThe FDA gains authority to regulate tobacco products (United States, 2009). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Lung cancer · 2020The FDA finalizes graphic cigarette warning labelsThe FDA finalizes graphic cigarette warning labels (United States, 2020). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cervical cancer · 2024The FDA authorizes the first at-home HPV self-collectionThe FDA authorizes the first at-home HPV self-collection (United States, 2024). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cancer · 2021The EU adopts Europe's Beating Cancer PlanThe EU adopts Europe's Beating Cancer Plan (European Union, 2021). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cancer · 2010The Affordable Care Act requires coverage of recommended cancer screeningsThe Affordable Care Act requires coverage of recommended cancer screenings (United States, 2010). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cancer · 2016The 21st Century Cures Act supports the Cancer MoonshotThe 21st Century Cures Act supports the Cancer Moonshot (United States, 2016). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cancer · 2018Right to Try legislation is enacted in the United StatesRight to Try legislation is enacted in the United States (United States, 2018). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Lung cancer · 2015Medicare covers low-dose CT lung-cancer screeningMedicare covers low-dose CT lung-cancer screening (United States, 2015). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Colorectal cancer · 2015IARC classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humansIARC classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans (International, 2015). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Lung cancer · 2013IARC classifies outdoor air pollution as a cause of cancerIARC classifies outdoor air pollution as a cause of cancer (International, 2013). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Lung cancer · 2016England introduces standardized (plain) tobacco packagingEngland introduces standardized (plain) tobacco packaging (United Kingdom, 2016). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cancer · 1986California's Proposition 65 requires cancer-risk warningsCalifornia's Proposition 65 requires cancer-risk warnings (United States, 1986). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.
• Cervical cancer · 2018Australia moves toward eliminating cervical cancerAustralia moves toward eliminating cervical cancer (Australia, 2018). What changed, who is affected, and what it does and doesn't mean.