The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that nearly 33% cases of breast cancer and 50% cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the later stages of the cancers. The federal body has reasoned that screening tests are not able to properly diagnose the conditions and are only able to identify them later on.

However, CDC has also stated, that if the cancers are detected earlier on, then the chances of people surviving are very high.

The CDC has reached the conclusion after it had examined data from the National Program of Cancer Registries of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance of CDC and the US National Cancer Institute's Surveillance for years from 2004 to 2006. While talking about the study, Dr. Marc Lippman from the University of Miami stated that the study was significant, as researchers will be able identify states, where cancer was detected in the last stages and be able to address the problem.

Detection of cancer in late stages was found to be higher in the states of Oklahoma, Mississippi and Louisiana. Lippman further held insurance Companies responsible for the high number of cases being detected in the later stages of cancer, as they had failed to provide insurance for preventive care.