In recent years, there has been a decline in cancer mortality rates, although cancer remains the leading cause of death in France and Quebec. Several factors contribute to this reduction in mortality rates. This trend can be attributed to improved cancer screening, better follow-up care when abnormalities are detected, and, finally, cancer treatment that continues to benefit from new discoveries, which provide an increasingly effective set of measures to combat this disease. We must also mention campaigns promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyles, particularly those aimed at reducing smoking. However, cancer affects certain subgroups more than others. Indeed, higher cancer rates and lower screening rates are observed in certain segments of the population, leading to disparities in cancer rates across subgroups. Insufficient health literacy skills have been identified as a factor explaining these differences. Based on this hypothesis, this article first offers a brief definition of literacy in general and health literacy, specifying certain behaviors associated with competencies in this area. Next, data from studies analyzing the links between literacy and cancer screening in general—and for specific cancers in particular—are presented. In conclusion, a line of inquiry is proposed to better account for literacy in cancer screening.