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This week on Dr. Greg: Markey's ACTION program addresses key cancer care issue in Appalachian Kentucky

Photography gallery at Healthy Kentucky Research Building on January 28, 2022. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto
Pete Comparoni/Pete Comparoni
Photography gallery at Healthy Kentucky Research Building on January 28, 2022. Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto



Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and Kentucky is home to the highest rates of cancer incidence and mortality in the country. The problem is significantly concentrated in the Appalachian region of the state, an area widely known for its culture and history of tobacco growth and use. This week Dr. Greg talks to Nathan Vanderford, director of the Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Career Training in Oncology or ACTION program.

ACTION is a Youth Enjoy Science Program, funded by a grant from the National Cancer Institute, that provides high school and undergraduate students from Appalachian Kentucky an opportunity to participate in cancer research, clinical shadowing, education and career development, and community outreach and engagement activities.

One of those activities includes a recent photovoice project which was intended to encourage Appalachian Kentucky youth to consider determinants of cancer and visualize the effects that
cancer has on their families or communities. Students captured photos of cancer-related objects around them as a way to record and reflect on
their situations and surroundings, ultimately promoting conversation and understanding of the prevalence of cancer in their personal lives and
greater communities.

An analysis of the photovoice project was recently
published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.