The Cancer Crisis in Appalachia: Kentucky Students Take ACTION

Kentucky has more cancer diagnoses and cancer-related deaths than any other US state, and most of these cases are concentrated in theAppalachian region of the commonwealth. However, what the facts cannot convey on their own is how life-changing cancer can be - something that editors Nathan L. Vanderford, Lauren Hudson, and Chris Prichard have endeavored to address. The Cancer Crisis in Appalachia features essays written by a group of twenty high school and five undergraduate students, all of whom are residents of Kentucky's Appalachian region and are participants in the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center's Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) program. These essays detail the effects of cancer diagnoses and deaths on individuals and communities. The Cancer Crisis in Appalachia seeks to shed light on personal cancer stories, to inspire those engaging in cancer-risk behaviors to change their ways, to motivate people to get involved with cancer-prevention initiatives, and to encourage others to uplift cancer patients and their loved ones.