Missoula, Mont -- An alarming new report shows Montanans aren't getting the health tests they need. That's why one pathologist wants everyone to know breast and colon cancer screenings can save lives.

It's a thought many have. ’I won't get breast or colon cancer, I'm healthy,’ but 48-year-old Rex Williams of Missoula will tell you differently. Doctors diagnosed his close friend and coworker with a form of colon cancer. He died seven weeks later and Williams' way of thinking changed. "I got to thinking about my own health and how I should pay attention to the little things that are important," explains Williams.

Doctors discovered a polyp, removed it and determined over time it would become cancerous. "In my case it was very productive and I'm very glad that I did that, because that would save me an enormous amount of hardship in the future if the colon actually became cancerous," says Williams.

The Centers for Disease Control found colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of death in women.

Dr. Nicole Finke says getting screened is easy, quick and they can make a diagnosis within 24 hours. "There is no question screening saves lives," explains Dr. Finke.

Doctors say screening saves lives, but very few people get them. Montana is one of the lowest states for screenings. Half don't get colon screenings and a quarter don't get breast screenings. "Either people are not aware of cancer screening and the importance of it and how it can potentially save their life," says Finke.

For 50-year-old Bridget Shoup of Missoula, getting screened for a mammogram wasn't even a second thought. "Breast cancer has run in my family for three generations, and so I thought it was really important to stay on top of that," explains Shoup.

She had cancer and has been cancer-free for three years. "I'm excited about life. I treat it a lot differently. I'm happy to be around for my husband and my kids and my family," Shoup tells us.

Dr. Finke says you’re more likely to prevent these cancers through early screening, rather than waiting until it's too late. She recommends women start yearly breast cancer screenings at 40 and everyone get screened for colon cancer at the age of 50.