SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) –

They may not be fun but cancer screenings can save your life.  So why are fewer people getting screened?

“Every time we see a patient that has cancer that could have been found at a more treatable time with screenings it’s very frustrating,” said Dr. Jim Stewart.

Baystate Oncologist Doctor Jim Stewart says there are a few reasons people aren’t being more proactive. One reason, cost.

“A lot of common tests do have insurance coverage but in the last few years co-pays are going up and the economy is going down. That’s a bad mix,” explained Stewart.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2010, about 72- percent of women were screened for breast cancer. That’s below the target of 81 percent. Cervical cancer, 83 percent of women were tested and the target is 93 percent.

For colon cancer 58 percent of Americans were screened, missing the target of 70 percent. Still Doctor Stewart says overall men are doing a better job of getting tested for colon cancer.

“A number of prominent people got colon cancer. When celebrities get these diseases it brings attention to it, there is evidence that it does help in the case of colon cancer and breast cancer,” said Stewart.

Studies also show, beliefs about getting tested vary in different cultures. Screening rates are reportedly very low in the Asian and Hispanic communities. Doctor Stewart is hoping patients will be more open minded when they see their primary care doctors so they won’t end up seeing him.

“I’m an Oncologist so I don’t’ see these people, I see them after diagnosis and often that diagnosis is too late,” added Doctor Stewart..