On Monday KYNECT and Northeast Kentucky Community Action will join with other sponsors, including the American Cancer Society, the Carter County Health Department, the FIVO area development district, and other insurance and healthcare partners for a Breast Cancer Awareness Community Resource Fair.
In addition to King’s Daughters Medical Center’s mobile mammography unit there will be a number of other healthcare resources on site to provide information and help folks navigate the screening process for breast cancer and other cancers.
It’s an important event for organizer Tammy Moore, whose day job is to help folks navigate the state’s KYNECT system to sign up for healthcare through state provided or private insurers.
Not just because healthcare, including screening and prevention, dovetails with her work.
But because it’s personal.
Breast cancer, she has noted while addressing folks at city council meetings and chamber of commerce events, has directly impacted her family.
Moore has seen firsthand how devastating a diagnosis can be, and how exhausting the struggle to regain health can be. Because of that, she has said, she’s motivated. Not just to raise awareness and find a cure for breast cancer, but to combat all types of cancer.
Cancer, she has said, has been a scourge on eastern Kentucky, which has some of the highest cancer rates in the state and nation.
Part of that is undoubtedly related to environmental factors. But some of it is a simple lack of awareness and screening.
That, she says, is where events like the Breast Cancer Awareness Community Resource Fair can be useful.
Not only does the event, which runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. next Monday, October 30 at the National Guard Armory, 345 Armory Drive, in Olive Hill, offer anyone the opportunity to get a breast cancer screening, but according to Moore it can help demonstrate to the state and nation that the community is being proactive about their health.
And she hopes that can help secure funding and other support for cancer care in the community.
Moore said the event already has promises of support from the governor’s office, as well as from local elected officials.
That’s important, she said. But it’s equally important for the community to come out and take advantage of the resources being offered, so that the state can see that any money spent in Carter County is needed, appreciated, and will reach the folks who need it.
This includes men too. While the focus for breast cancer is often on women, men are also capable of developing breast cancer, Moore noted. But they are also prone to other types of cancer, including prostate and colon cancers.
And while those aren’t the main focus of Monday’s event, they’re still cancers that impact the local community – and topics that someone at the community resource fair could discuss with you if had questions or concerns.
That’s an important part of the process in and of itself, she explained; getting people comfortable talking about their health concerns and any changes they’ve noticed in their bodies.
There are resources available no matter what your concerns are, she said. But those concerns can only be addressed if you take advantage of the resources being offered.
While screenings for these other types of cancer may not be available on the spot, they can be discussed and potentially scheduled during the event.
Those who are interested in taking advantage of the mobile mammography unit can schedule time by calling (606) 408-1111 or 1-877-304-1935. While a physician or provider order is not required to schedule time, scheduling an exam can make sure you are able to be screened.
In addition to the screenings, the event will also feature information, guest speakers, and prize giveaways.
The biggest prize you could come away with, though, might just be your life.
We support Moore’s event, and encourage everyone who can to come out, listen to the speakers, collect information, and get yourself screened.
It’s important for the community. But more than that, it could end up being important for you.
