Know your risk for bladder cancer — and don’t ignore the signs

Awareness gaps can impact recognition and diagnosis of bladder cancer

May 4, 2026

When bladder cancer is found early, before it spreads beyond the bladder, patients have more treatment options. That’s why we’re focused on getting to the heart of what people need to hear. Especially those at risk of bladder cancer.

“Too many patients don’t recognize the warning signs for bladder cancer or feel comfortable talking about them. Breaking that silence is just as important as developing new treatments — because awareness is the first step toward helping to save lives.”

Dr. M. Catherine Pietanza
Vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories

Bladder cancer risk is not largely based on family genetics

Some people inherit certain genes from their parents that can increase their risk of bladder cancer. But bladder cancer doesn’t often run in families, and inherited genes are not thought to be a major cause of this disease. Most gene changes linked to bladder cancer develop during a person’s life, rather than having been inherited.

Don’t ignore blood in your urine or changes in your urinary habits — talk to your doctor right away

Bladder cancer can often be found early because it can cause symptoms that lead a person to see a healthcare provider. Blood in your urine is usually the first sign, before pain or other symptoms appear. In most cases, blood in the urine doesn’t mean you have bladder cancer, but it’s important to see your doctor to rule out other causes like a bladder or kidney stone, an infection or kidney disease.

Be aware of your risks for bladder cancer

Knowing and avoiding the risk factors that are within your control may help lower your risk of bladder cancer. Among risk factors for bladder cancer, smoking is highest on the list — causing about half of all bladder cancers. Exposure to other chemicals can also raise risk over time, including industrial chemicals used in making rubber, leather, textiles and paint products, as well as in printing companies. People who work as painters, firefighters, hairdressers and truck drivers can similarly be exposed to certain chemicals and fumes that might increase their risk of bladder cancer.

Some risk factors can’t be controlled, but you may be able to help lower your risk of bladder cancer by not smoking, practicing good work safety practices, limiting exposure to toxins (like arsenic), staying well hydrated and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Know your individual risk factors and talk to your doctor to see if you are at high risk for bladder cancer. If you have risk factors that strongly increase your risk of bladder cancer, and you’ve noticed certain changes in your urine, your doctor may recommend tests to look for bladder cancer.

“Our goal is to reach patients sooner — before the disease advances, before options narrow.”

Dr. M. Catherine Pietanza

When bladder cancer is found early, there are more treatment options. In later stages of bladder cancer, removing the bladder may need to be part of the treatment plan.

This is where our focus begins: breaking the silence and encouraging people to talk to their doctor right away if they notice any possible symptoms.

Innovation

Immunology Q&A: Experts discuss how science is advancing disease research

Merck R&D teams are exploring how emerging therapies and precision medicine are shaping the future of immune-mediated disease research

April 30, 2026

With a deep and growing understanding of human biology, there’s been an emergence of innovative medicines and new modalities that aim to change the way researchers approach treatment for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Here at Merck, we’re advancing our growing capabilities in immunology with a talented team of scientists and clinical researchers as we aim to advance patient care. We sat down with two immunology experts from Merck Research Laboratories (MRL) to find out how their teams are fostering innovations that have the potential to help people with autoimmune diseases.

Over the past decade, what scientific developments have most shaped how you and your team discover new targets for immune-mediated diseases?

Dr. Marc Levesque, vice president, immunology discovery and Cambridge site head, MRL: The past decade has been transformative for the field of immunology research. Technologies like oral macrocyclic peptides and CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) therapies have opened new possibilities in research.

Critically, the integration of patient-derived data into early-stage research has allowed us to evaluate disease mechanisms with greater accuracy. Integrating these new tools not only enhances our understanding of immune-mediated diseases but also enables the discovery of novel targets and biomarkers that could lead to more precise treatments.

Which advances have most changed the way we approach immune-mediated diseases — and where do gaps remain?

Dr. Aileen Pangan, vice president and therapeutic area head, immunology clinical research, MRL: Our understanding of disease mechanisms has grown dramatically, leading to the identification of new therapeutic targets. These advances have improved treatment outcomes for many patients. Yet, significant gaps remain, particularly in achieving and maintaining clinical remission for patients.

One of the reasons lies in the fact that treatment of these patients still involves a trial-and-error approach. We’re investing in efforts to bring precision medicine to immunology. If we could identify the right therapy for each patient, we could help manage disease manifestations sooner and potentially improve long-term outcomes.

How are these advances shaping Merck’s R&D strategy?

Levesque: Our goal is to alleviate the burden of immune-mediated diseases by discovering and developing innovative, targeted therapies. Our strategy involves tackling multiple pathways involved in these complex diseases.

For example, promising areas of research include bispecific antibodies which can be used to target more than one disease mechanism at a time and new modalities that enable oral administration.

What roles do artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics play in the evolution of immunology research?

Levesque: AI and data analytics are accelerating how we identify new drug targets and tailor therapies. These tools allow us to process vast amounts of biological data quickly, revealing patterns and insights that would be difficult to detect otherwise. This can help support the development of precision medicine, with the goal of tailoring to the unique genetic and biological makeup of each patient, while also speeding up the discovery process for new drug targets. AI also facilitates the design of drugs and their testing in pre-clinical studies.

four scientists working in our Boston lab

How does the patient experience factor into your approach to clinical research?

Pangan: Understanding the unique patient experience for each autoimmune disorder we work on can help in the development of innovative therapies that more directly address patient needs. Currently, many patients will cycle through multiple treatments before finding an option that works for them, while others experience a delay in initiating advanced therapies.

Our approach to research and development in this space takes into account the challenges and barriers patients experience when trying to achieve their treatment goals, which may differ depending on the autoimmune or immune-mediated inflammatory disease. These considerations inform how we pursue modalities and targets that have the potential to provide more options and support a more personalized care plan. By doing so, we aim to help more patients reach their treatment goals.

In your opinion, as we look five to 10 years ahead, what scientific advancements could fundamentally change how we treat immune-mediated inflammatory diseases?

Levesque: In the coming years, I believe scientific advancements may lead to improvements in durable remission. Personalized medicine based on individual genetic profiles and disease characteristics has the potential to fundamentally change how physicians and care teams approach treatment plans for patients. It also has the potential to shorten the time to symptom resolution by helping to select the most suitable therapy for patients. Overall, our goal is to help address patient challenges and provide more treatment options.

Learn more about our research and commitment to immunology.

Innovation

Our Q1 2026 financial results

April 30, 2026

Merck’s (NYSE: MRK) Q1 2026 results reflect continued strength in oncology and animal health, plus increasing contributions from launches. Our company announced Q1 worldwide sales of $16.3 billion.

“We are moving with speed to transform our portfolio to one with a diversified set of growth drivers across a broad set of therapeutic areas,” said Rob Davis, chairman and CEO. “During the first quarter, we continued to strengthen our pipeline with science-led business development, including our planned acquisition of Terns. We also achieved several important milestones, such as our most recent approval in HIV, marking a new chapter in our research and longstanding commitment to people living with HIV. I am pleased with our progress and excited for what’s ahead, as we enter a particularly robust period of Phase 3 data readouts and deliver on the promise of our pipeline for patients.”

Merck anticipates full-year 2026 worldwide sales to be between $65.8 billion and $67.0 billion.

Take a look at the infographic below for more details on Q1 2026 results.

Listen to the earnings call

Read the press release

Download the infographic

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Innovation

How Merck scientists are driving next-generation cancer research

Our scientists are accelerating research by looking to improve anti-tumor immune response, targeting specific cancer cells and helping inhibit cancer growth

April 20, 2026

In recent decades, our improved understanding of cancer has illuminated that we cannot treat all cancers as one disease — scientists have classified hundreds of types and found a myriad of genetic drivers underlying them. This means, just as cancer isn’t one disease, there cannot be just one way to treat all cancers.

“We’ve witnessed dramatic progress in how we treat a wide range of cancers, and our work at Merck has been foundational in how we treat metastatic disease, or cancer that has spread.”

Dr. Jane Healy
Vice president and head of oncology early development, Merck Research Laboratories

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. These advancements are helping to fuel the next generation of discoveries and drive progress in the way we care for people with all stages of cancer. We must push research forward that supports early discoveries and novel innovations to advance the future of cancer research,” Healy said.

Driving research toward treating certain cancers earlier

With the ultimate goal of providing patients with the greatest chance for survival, our researchers are building a broad clinical development program focused on treating certain cancers at earlier stages.

“Expanding our research efforts into earlier stages of disease remains a top priority,” said Healy. “We’re pursuing research where we have the greatest potential to make a significant impact in helping reduce the risk of recurrence and improving survival.”

A robust pipeline of diverse approaches to advanced and earlier stages of cancer

In addition to driving research in earlier stages of cancer, Healy and her colleagues are investigating multiple mechanisms and modalities that may have the potential to address cancer in innovative ways. Through our own research and external collaborations, we’ve developed a robust pipeline that encompasses diverse approaches to treating advanced and earlier stages of cancer across more than 20 novel mechanisms, including:

Boosting anti-tumor immune responses: Learnings from recent advancements in cancer care have informed a more focused approach to research. Now, we’re investigating foundational cancer treatments combined with negative immune regulators that play different roles in adjusting the immune response.

We’re also exploring individualized neoantigen therapies, a growing area of research focused on sharpening the immune response against a person’s own tumor by developing a therapy unique to their tumor’s mutation.

Tissue-specific targeting of chemotherapy to increase cancer cell sensitivity to immune responses: While chemotherapy remains an important treatment option, our scientists are exploring how antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), with novel chemotherapy-like payloads, can be used as a more targeted approach to deliver chemotherapy.

Similarly, we’re pursuing research that enhances the ability of T cells to recognize and attack tumors.

Impacting pathways that can drive cancer growth: We’ve identified opportunities for the direct targeting of cancer cell vulnerabilities and transcription factors that were previously considered untreatable. By designing therapeutic candidates that inhibit or degrade proteins and genes implicated in cancer pathways, we’re evaluating new ways to help address rare and difficult-to-treat cancers that currently have limited treatment options.

"We're committed to investing in novel research where scientific opportunity and medical need converge. "

— Jane Healy

“These key areas of research are the cornerstones of our broad and diverse pipeline, with more than 2,800 trials that will evaluate patients in combination regimens. We remain dedicated to discovering new ways to fight this disease and optimizing existing approaches — all while continuing to lead in supporting the next generation of cancer research,” said Healy.

Gloved hand handling a small laboratory device labeled

Learn more about our oncology pipeline

View pipeline

Innovation

Rob Davis on strengthening our pipeline through business development

Merck’s chairman and CEO spoke with the Financial Times about dealmaking, pipeline expansion and delivering for patients

April 14, 2026

Robert M. Davis, Chairman and chief executive officer, Merck

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Merck Chairman and CEO Rob Davis shared how, when it comes to investing in our pipeline of innovative medicines and vaccines, we always put patients first.

This mindset drives our approach to advancing the best internal and external science where we see science and value align and is fueling the evolution of the strongest and deepest pipeline in our company’s history.

The outlet noted that Davis has led our company through a period of significant dealmaking, with one outcome being that we currently have 22 medicines in the final stages of clinical trials compared to 15 in 2023. “We have as rich a Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 pipeline as we’ve ever had in this company,” Davis said. He also expressed the importance of moving with focus and urgency, as well as discipline, to rapidly progress the next wave of innovation. “The earlier we bet, the more conviction my scientists have to have,” he said.

As we continue to complement our internal innovation and discovery efforts with patient-focused business development to drive impact for all who depend on us, we remain committed to delivering on our purpose of using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.

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Innovation

Expert Q&A: The role of real-world evidence in lung cancer detection

Shuvayu Sen, Ph.D., shared how our real-world evidence research uses data to analyze patient journeys and risk prediction models for early lung cancer detection

March 23, 2026

In the fight against lung cancer, early detection can be critical. While some countries have previously rolled out national lung cancer screening programs, in many cases, participation was low. This reality is one of the drivers behind Mission Lung Cancer, our collective effort to break down the barriers that stand in the way of early detection of lung cancer.

At the heart of our commitment to early lung cancer detection is one of our powerful contributions: scientific insights. Our real-world evidence (RWE) research uses patient-level data to analyze patient journeys and risk prediction models. This enables us to better understand diagnostic pathways and identify opportunities that may help facilitate early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer.

We spoke with Shuvayu Sen, Ph.D., vice president and head of oncology value and implementation outcomes research, about the importance of using RWE.

What is RWE and why does it matter?

Sen: RWE is generated through the analysis of real-world data or health information routinely collected from sources such as electronic health records (EHR), registries and insurance claims. Alongside data from clinical trials, real-world data matters because it may provide contextual insights that are not possible in a controlled setting.

How is your team using RWE in lung cancer research?

Sen: Our applicable areas of research include continuing to address smoking as the leading risk factor for lung cancer while identifying additional contributing risk factors — pinpointing moments to engage at-risk individuals and building explainable risk prediction models, including for non-small cell lung cancer. Our research on the patient journey can help show where delays in care may occur, such as low screening uptake, missed follow-ups on imaging or coordination gaps between care teams.

What have you learned from RWE in lung cancer?

Photo of Merck colleagues Shuvayu Sen and Melissa Santorelli walking in the office — Sen (left) with colleague Melissa Santorelli, Ph.D., MPH, at our global headquarters.

Sen: As part of our analysis of one institution’s EHR database, we identified underutilization of low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans as an unmet need in the diagnostic pathway. Our research also showed potential for electronic medical record data to help identify patients who may be at risk of developing lung cancer. Looking ahead, we aim to explore options that could support earlier detection by leveraging this data. These insights point to potentially meaningful opportunities across the oncology ecosystem and beyond.

How else are we helping to advance research in this space?

Sen: We believe it’s critical to advance this work through research outside our company, as shared insights and investigator-led research are equally essential to accelerating innovation. That’s why we expanded our Merck Investigator Studies Program (MISP) to support independent research.

The MISP program evaluates tools and methods for lung cancer risk assessment and explores new technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital diagnostics, with the goal of improving early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer.

Together, our real-world evidence and MISP-supported research have the potential to reshape how and when lung cancer may be detected.

Learn more about Mission Lung Cancer.

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Innovation

Our AI model KERMT is helping to advance drug discovery

Our scientists harness AI and machine learning in small molecule lead optimization

March 19, 2026

illustration of people in lab coats looks at shapes and objects floating

In the lead optimization phase, scientists fine-tune early molecules in the hopes of finding a molecule that might one day become a medicine.

Traditionally, this stage takes months, and most drug candidates never make it to clinical testing. But advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), including our new AI foundation model KERMT, could help change that.

What is KERMT and how is it transforming small molecule research?

Developed in collaboration with Nvidia, KERMT, pronounced “Kermit” and short for Kinetic GROVER Multi-Task, is a deep-learning computer model trained on more than 11 million molecules. It learns from patterns in vast amounts of chemical data with the goal of helping scientists better predict how a molecule will behave in the body, potentially spotting issues much earlier and reducing the need for months of lab work.

KERMT isn’t just helping our researchers; as an open-source model, its code is available to the whole scientific community.

How AI models can impact drug development timelines

In a recent interview with Healthcare Brew, Senior Director of Data Science Alan Cheng said AI is already “speeding up the early stages of drug development dramatically.”

“AI is sometimes cutting timelines by 30% or more, improving drug candidate quality and reducing costs,” Cheng said. “This is a very meaningful acceleration. While clinical trials remain lengthy, our models are enabling faster identification of disease targets and optimized compounds, which should increase probability of success and shorten preclinical phases.”

Open-source AI for the scientific community

AI/ML is evolving at an incredible pace: access to relevant data is growing, computing power is expanding and deep-learning algorithms are rapidly improving. Advances like KERMT can give teams a powerful new way to make better informed decisions and focus their time on the most promising drug candidates.

These changes have the potential to create unprecedented opportunities to speed and strengthen the discovery of new drugs — with the goal of bringing safer, more effective medicines to patients faster.

KERMT is available on Nvidia accelerated computing and software, including platforms like Nvidia BioNeMo and Clara Open Models.

Watch to learn more about how Merck is using AI/ML for small molecule lead optimization

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Sustainability

New grants to help improve global access to care

Merck is supporting community-led efforts to improve sustainable access to health care through $10 million in new grants

March 19, 2026

Mother holding a a baby and they're smiling at each other

We’re working to boost people’s access to health around the world with a series of new global grants — from strengthening dengue prevention in Southeast Asia to improving maternal health outcomes in Tanzania, and more.

We recently awarded the grants, totaling more than $10 million, to 44 non‑governmental organizations across 32 countries. The projects will support community‑led efforts to improve sustainable access to high‑quality health care (view the full list of grant recipients). These investments will help:

Expand care in underserved communities
Support screening, prevention and treatment efforts
Train health care workers
Close gaps in care through education, care navigation and digital tools

“By investing in community-led efforts, we aim to help more people gain sustainable access to essential health services while closing gaps in care.”

Kalahn Taylor-Clark, Ph.D., MPH
VP and head of social impact and sustainability

Social impact and sustainability grantees

The grants are awarded through two programs created to improve access to health globally: Solutions for Healthy Communities and Merck for Mothers. We developed Solutions for Healthy Communities based on the belief that local organizations are best positioned to create meaningful, lasting change for their communities. Merck for Mothers is our global initiative to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving life.

two farmers carrying baskets while harvesting rice in Southeast Asia

Some examples of projects we’re excited to support starting in 2026 include:

Patient education and navigation for uninsured community members in the U.S.: Community Volunteers in Medicine (Pennsylvania) will provide care navigation, preventive health education, referrals and coordinated follow‑up for approximately 30 uninsured patients per month following hospital or emergency department discharge. The program aims to reach more than 5,500 individuals and train 100 health care workers to help address care gaps affecting an estimated 35,000 uninsured community members.
Strengthening dengue outbreak response in Southeast Asia: Asia Dengue Voice and Action Ltd. will deploy a digital platform to provide health care workers with real‑time data and improved access to public health resources, enabling faster and more targeted dengue prevention and response across high‑risk communities.
Targeted interventions to improve maternal health outcomes in Tanzania: Pathfinder will expand access to high‑quality maternal health care across 60 facilities in Morogoro, a region with one of Tanzania’s highest maternal mortality ratios (>75 per 100,000 live births). Using a hub‑and‑spoke model, digital tools, and partnership with local government, the initiative will strengthen service delivery, referrals, supervision, data use and the provider–client experience.
Improving continuity of maternal care for vulnerable women in Romania: UNICEF will equip community nurses with standardized digital tools to monitor pregnancies and coordinate care by adding a dedicated pre‑ and postnatal module to the Aplicația Medicală Comunitară platform. This approach will help address gaps in maternal care for rural populations facing provider shortages and fragmented referral pathways.

“By empowering women to seek care sooner and educating frontline health care workers about cancer, lives can be saved and families will thrive,” said Jennifer Dent, president and CEO of BIO Ventures for Global Health, one of this year’s recipients. The organization is working to improve breast and cervical cancer outcomes in Nigeria and Kenya by strengthening the community health workforce, empowering communities with health knowledge and communicating project impacts to inform policy and practice.

Learn more about our sustainability efforts.

2026 global grants

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Solutions for Healthy Communities grant recipients

United States (including Puerto Rico) 

Community Volunteers in Medicine
Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services
I Be Black Girl
New England Medical Association
The Foundation for Delaware County
Tigerlily Foundation
Trenton Health Team, Inc.
Trinitas Foundation
VOCES Coalicion de Vacunacion de PR
YWCA Northern New Jersey

Latin America

Fondo de las Naciones Unidas Para la Infancia, Colombia
Fundacion Peruana de Cancer, Peru
Pro Mujer, Inc., Mexico and Argentina
Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Hospital Albert Einstein, Brazil
United Nations Population Fund, Dominican Republic

Europe and Canada

Asociatia Coalitia Organizatiilor Pacientilor cu Afectiuni Cronice, Romania
International Organization for Migration, Slovakia
PHA Europe, European Pulmonary Hypertension Association, Germany, Poland, Ukraine and Bosnia-Herzegovina
Social Innovation Wien, Austria
Tunne rintasi ry, Finland

Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa

BIO Ventures for Global Health, Kenya and Nigeria
Caritas Egypt, Egypt
Childhood Cancer Society of Ghana, Ghana
Global Health Development GHD|EMPHNET, Iraq
Population Services International, Ethiopia
The Israeli Lung Cancer Foundation, Israel
World Learning, Inc., Algeria

Japan, China and Asia Pacific

Access Health International, Inc., India
Asia Dengue Voice and Action Ltd, Thailand and Philippines
Institute of HIV Research and Innovation, Thailand
Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia, Malaysia
Youth Link Social Enterprise Company Limited, Vietnam

Merck for Mothers grant recipients

Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa

UNICEF, Kazakhstan
UNICEF, Turkiye
Pathfinder, Tanzania

Europe and Canada

UNICEF, Romania
White Ribbon Alliance, United Kingdom
Think-tank for Action on Social Change, Ireland

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Health awareness

Notes of resilience: A musician’s journey with head and neck cancer

One singer-songwriter found the strength to keep going after his head and neck squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis by accepting help and embracing love and music

March 10, 2026

In 2023, Jon Michaels was happily balancing the joys and routines of life – from his publishing job and his passion for music as a singer-songwriter to cherishing moments with his wife, Jeannie, and their daughter, Jennings.

One day, Michaels noticed a painless lump in his neck. Since it didn’t affect his ability to sing, talk, eat or drink, he initially dismissed it. When the lump persisted, he was urged to see a doctor who conducted a biopsy and surgically removed the lump. Then came the news that changed his life forever – Michaels was diagnosed with head and neck cancer. He now had to face the impact of this diagnosis on his life, his loved ones – and his music.

“I was wondering, ‘How would I react if I were to be diagnosed with cancer?’” he said. “That day, I found out.”

What is head and neck cancer?

Head and neck cancer describes tumors that develop in or around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses and mouth. In 2022, there were more than 947,000 cases of head and neck cancer worldwide. These data include cancers of the salivary glands, hypopharynx, oropharynx, nasopharynx, larynx, lip and oral cavity. Michaels’ diagnosis, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, is the most common type of head and neck cancer and begins in the flat, squamous cells that make up the thin mucosal lining of the head and neck.

Michaels’ painless lump is a common symptom of this disease. Other symptoms may include a sore in the mouth that won’t heal, coughing up blood and pain when swallowing.

The power of support in Michaels’ cancer fight

After his diagnosis, Michaels and his wife discussed a treatment plan with the doctor.

“He started by saying, ‘I have good news and bad news. The good news was that we can treat your cancer, with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The bad news is that it will be tough,’” Michaels said. “That was hard to process.”

As Michaels started treatment, he was concerned about how it may affect his ability to pursue music.

“That worried me, as music was so much a part of my life,” he said.

Michaels faced both physical and emotional challenges during his treatment, reaching a point where he almost wanted to give up.

However, his wife refused to let him. She inspired him to remain strong and encouraged him to accept help during this difficult time. Even his therapist advised him: “Let the people who love you, love you.” Those words taught Michaels to accept support from his neighbors, friends and family.

“My support group were the real heroes in this experience,” he said.

While others handled life’s daily tasks for him, such as sending meals, mowing the lawn, helping with chores and transportation to appointments, Michaels focused on fighting this disease.

These acts of kindness got him through his toughest days, allowing him to recover and channel his emotions into music, even writing a song to reflect on his cancer experience.

Strengthening our commitment to patients with cancer

Stories of support, like Michaels’, underscore why patients are our inspiration as we continue to pursue the fight against cancer. His journey is an important reminder to turn to a supportive network during trying times.

“The most rewarding part was the overwhelming love shown by my family, friends and strangers,” he said. “Trust in the care and fight when they tell you to fight.”

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Health awareness

How collaboration can help enable early detection of lung cancer

Learn about our work with the American Cancer Society

February 18, 2026

two people with lab coats looking at an medical scan.

Through our Mission Lung Cancer initiative, we’re bringing together our efforts to break down barriers that stand in the way of early lung cancer detection. Our approach is rooted in strategic collaboration, scientific insights and innovative technology.

One program that’s part of Mission Lung Cancer is the American Cancer Society’s Get Screened initiative. Since 2020, we’ve worked with the ACS to help advance early detection for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers through Get Screened.

In 2024, our involvement in this collaboration expanded to include a focus on early detection of lung cancer. Through this initiative, Merck supports the ACS’s efforts to provide screening navigation services, mobile screening units and access to free or low-cost screening options for eligible people* who are uninsured or underinsured.

“Together with the American Cancer Society, we’re focused on supporting initiatives that elevate the importance of early lung cancer detection and helping eligible individuals get access to screening. We’re proud to support efforts to raise awareness around this disease that impacts millions of people each year.”

Josette Gbemudu
Associate vice president, patient health innovation

The Get Screened campaign is already making an impact, with more than 362,400 additional breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer screenings conducted. The ACS also aims to raise $30 million to further expand access through outreach, technology and infrastructure.

We joined the Get Screened campaign to help increase cancer screening rates in the U.S., and recently focused specifically on lung cancer, as it’s the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide.**

However, in the U.S., only 18.2% of those eligible underwent lung cancer screening in 2022. Alongside screenings, knowing the signs and symptoms of cancer can potentially help increase the chance of finding the disease before it spreads.

“This work highlights the power of collaboration between advocacy and industry. Together, we’re helping to build a path for the future where every person at risk receives timely information and resources, empowering them to lead healthier lives.”

Shane Jacobson
CEO, American Cancer Society

Our collaboration with the ACS is one of several initiatives under Mission Lung Cancer, all to advance our mission to help enable early detection of lung cancer to help ensure patients get timely care.

Learn more about Mission Lung Cancer.

*per the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force screening guidelines
**World Health Organization – GLOBOCAN 2022

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Know your risk for bladder cancer — and don’t ignore the signs

“Too many patients don’t recognize the warning signs for bladder cancer or feel comfortable talking about them. Breaking that silence is just as important as developing new treatments — because awareness is the first step toward helping to save lives.”

Bladder cancer risk is not largely based on family genetics

Don’t ignore blood in your urine or changes in your urinary habits — talk to your doctor right away

Be aware of your risks for bladder cancer

“Our goal is to reach patients sooner — before the disease advances, before options narrow.”

Immunology Q&A: Experts discuss how science is advancing disease research

Over the past decade, what scientific developments have most shaped how you and your team discover new targets for immune-mediated diseases?

Which advances have most changed the way we approach immune-mediated diseases — and where do gaps remain?

How are these advances shaping Merck’s R&D strategy?

What roles do artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics play in the evolution of immunology research?

How does the patient experience factor into your approach to clinical research?

In your opinion, as we look five to 10 years ahead, what scientific advancements could fundamentally change how we treat immune-mediated inflammatory diseases?

Our Q1 2026 financial results

How Merck scientists are driving next-generation cancer research

“We’ve witnessed dramatic progress in how we treat a wide range of cancers, and our work at Merck has been foundational in how we treat metastatic disease, or cancer that has spread.”

Driving research toward treating certain cancers earlier

A robust pipeline of diverse approaches to advanced and earlier stages of cancer

"We're committed to investing in novel research where scientific opportunity and medical need converge. "

Learn more about our oncology pipeline

Rob Davis on strengthening our pipeline through business development

Expert Q&A: The role of real-world evidence in lung cancer detection

What is RWE and why does it matter?

How is your team using RWE in lung cancer research?

What have you learned from RWE in lung cancer?

How else are we helping to advance research in this space?

Our AI model KERMT is helping to advance drug discovery

What is KERMT and how is it transforming small molecule research?

How AI models can impact drug development timelines

Open-source AI for the scientific community

Watch to learn more about how Merck is using AI/ML for small molecule lead optimization

New grants to help improve global access to care

“By investing in community-led efforts, we aim to help more people gain sustainable access to essential health services while closing gaps in care.”

Social impact and sustainability grantees

2026 global grants

Solutions for Healthy Communities grant recipients

Merck for Mothers grant recipients

Notes of resilience: A musician’s journey with head and neck cancer

What is head and neck cancer?

The power of support in Michaels’ cancer fight

Strengthening our commitment to patients with cancer

How collaboration can help enable early detection of lung cancer

“This work highlights the power of collaboration between advocacy and industry. Together, we’re helping to build a path for the future where every person at risk receives timely information and resources, empowering them to lead healthier lives.”

Related links

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA