Kentucky Health News
For more than 50 years, Appalachian Kentucky has consistently ranked among the highest in the nation for cancer and deaths from it.
To recognize the impact of this disease in Appalachia, Kentucky high school and college students from the region have written fictional short stories and poems that are showcased in the latest edition of the book titled “Cancer in Appalachia: A Collection of Youth-told Stories, Volume Two.”
The student authors participate in the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center‘s ACTION program, which allows them to explore research, clinical care, outreach and educational experiences to help them learn more about careers in fighting cancer. ACTION stands for Appalachian Career Training in Oncology.
The entries in the book incorporate health behaviors and social determinants of health that contribute to the region’s high cancer rates, factors that are often not considered when it comes to cancer in the region.
“We too often see cancer shown in statistics and data and leave the personal and emotional impacts of cancer out,” Nathan Vanderford, director of the ACTION program and the book’s co-editor, said in a news release. “We want readers to connect with the stories, so they feel more motivated to become educated on cancer risk factors and cancer prevention and control strategies in their communities.”
Although titled Volume Two, this is the fourth book published by the ACTION program. All the books are available for purchase through Butler Books and Amazon. Proceeds from book sales directly support ACTION and its mission to train the next generation of leaders who will address Appalachia’s cancer burden.
Appalachian Kentucky students who are interested in applying to participate in ACTION may find information on the Markey Cancer Center website.
