AstraZeneca has partnered with YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) to increase awareness of cancer screening and early detection.
Now in its 175th year in the U.S., the YMCA describes its mission as being “to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.” At Y-USA, the U.S. branch of the global organization, that mission manifests in community-based programs and services focused on areas including healthy living.
AstraZeneca is tapping into Y-USA’s ties to communities. Over the first two years of their partnership, AstraZeneca and Y-USA aim to reach 175,000 people across 75 communities in the U.S. The partners plan to raise awareness of cancer screening and early detection using “tailored, community-driven solutions.”
“We are in the golden era of cancer care, yet cancer screening and early detection rates for many types of cancer remain low, with significant disparities across zip codes,” Mohit Manrao, head of U.S. oncology at AstraZeneca, said in a statement. “Our partnership with Y-USA can directly reach millions of Americans at scale and at the grassroots level.”
In Prevent Cancer Foundation’s 2026 survey, 73% of U.S. adults said they are behind on one or more of their routine cancer screenings. Not knowing they needed to be screened and not having a family history of the disease were the top reasons for missing screenings. Respondents also expressed concerns about costs, despite private insurers, Medicaid and Medicare fully covering many routine cancer screenings.
The findings led the foundation to conclude that “a lack of clear, consistent information about coverage is fueling unnecessary fear, causing people to delay or skip screenings and miss the opportunity for better health outcomes.”
AstraZeneca has repeatedly tried to raise awareness of cancer screening. The drugmaker partnered with the NHL to encourage people to “Get Body Checked Against Cancer” in 2024. Since then, AstraZeneca has enlisted the professional ice hockey player Jacob Trouba, actor Joshua Jackson, Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot Gritty and sportscaster Erin Andrews to continue the campaign.