Rethinking Cancer Screening in 2026

What if the best cancer treatment is finding cancer before symptoms ever appear? 

Early detection remains one of the most powerful tools in cancer care, but screening only works when people can access it. In this episode of The Vitals, guest host Dr. Raja Flores is joined by Dr. Ash Tewari, Dr. Jamila Sly, and Dr. Emily Sonnenblick for a wide-ranging conversation about how cancer screening is evolving, why participation remains a challenge, and how bringing screening directly into communities could save lives. 

The panel explores the latest recommendations for breast, prostate, and lung cancer screening; the role of MRI, genomics, biomarkers, and AI in identifying risk earlier; and the growing movement to make screening more accessible through mobile clinics and community-based outreach. They also discuss health disparities, trust in medicine, and the practical barriers that prevent many people from getting potentially lifesaving tests.  

Whether you're wondering when to get screened, curious about emerging cancer detection technologies, or interested in how healthcare systems can improve access to care, this episode offers expert perspectives on one of medicine's most important frontiers: finding cancer early, when treatment is most effective. 

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