“This was truly a blessed event. One I will remember forever. Thanks for caring, sharing and loving women. I leave feeling inspired and good about myself.”

Support Programs & Resources: Kentucky Cancer Program

As part of its commitment to provide the full scope of services to cancer patients and their families, the James Graham Brown Cancer Center houses the Kentucky Cancer Program (KCP), a network of cancer control services that connects all Kentuckians -- the public, health-care providers and patients -- with the Commonwealth’s cancer control resources.

The Kentucky Cancer Program’s mission is to promote cancer education, research, and service programs to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. It is funded by the General Assembly and jointly administered by the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville and the Lucille Parker Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky. With 12 regional offices and 15 district cancer councils throughout the state, KCP identifies cancer problems and mobilize communities to action.

Community Cancer Connection
KCP offices, such as the one at the Brown Cancer Center, are staffed by cancer control specialists who strive for cancer control through programs such as:

Community coalitions to address specific cancer problems;
Outreach to special populations including African Americans, migrant workers, individuals with limited literacy and rural, medically underserved populations;
Educational presentations to schools, churches, businesses and civic groups;
Community screenings to detect cancer in early stages; and
Special events to raise cancer awareness.

Supporting Health Professionals
KCP strives to improve patient care through the following services for health professionals:

Education programs for physicians, nurses, social workers and other health professionals; and
The Kentucky Cancer Registry, which monitors the state’s cancer data. The information is collected for state-based research studies and improved patient outcomes.

Cancer Information Conduit
KCP provides valuable cancer-related information to Kentucky’s diverse population. Regional offices link communities to additional resources and offer information in a culturally appropriate and clear language. Cancer control specialists:

Provide accurate and up-to-date cancer information for patients, their families, the general public, and health professionals;
Introduce clinical trials - research studies that involve new cancer treatment and provide information about available clinical trials in Kentucky;
Explain medical research, serving as a bridge between scientific breakthroughs and public understanding;
Provide free educational brochures in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and the Cancer Information Service to the public, patients and health-care providers;
Promote the use of the Cancer Information Service, a toll-free telephone service (1-800-4 CANCER), affiliated with the National Cancer Institute; and
Provide information about treatment options and standards of cancer care.

A Shoulder to Lean On
KCP supports the special needs of patients and their families through:

Regional resource directories to link cancer patients with local programs and services;
Support groups for both cancer patients and their families;
Indian Summer, a camp founded by KCP for children with leukemia and other forms of cancer;
Advocacy efforts for patient care and protection;
Special events for cancer survivors; and
Guidance in navigating the cancer care delivery system

The Kentucky Cancer Program at the University of Louisville has been sponsoring retreats for breast cancer survivors since 1997. Held at the Foxhollow Wellness Center, newly diagnosed breast cancer patients are invited to come together to share their experiences and to learn ways to improve the quality of their lives. The weekend activities are coordinated by a cancer control specialist from the Kentucky Cancer Program. Oncologists, oncology nurses, psychologists, nutritionists, and other health care specialists from the Louisville area make presentations and lead group discussions or activities. Topics are designed to meet the physical and psychological needs of individuals coping with breast cancer.

Local breast cancer survivors and volunteers from the Junior League of Louisville are hosts of the weekends.

Women diagnosed within the past two years are encouraged to attend. The retreats are free and held four times a year. One weekend is devoted to the special cultural and spiritual needs of African Americans.

Leading Special Initiatives
KCP takes pride in special initiatives to address the unique needs and special populations in Kentucky.

Kentucky African Americans Against Cancer (KAAAC) is a volunteer group of concerned citizens and health care providers seeking to reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of cancer in the African American population of Kentucky. Sponsored by the Kentucky Cancer Program, University of Louisville, the coalition was established in 1990. Its goals are to:

provide information on cancer to the community;
coordinate education/screening programs for the prevention and early detection of cancer;
help the public access cancer services in the community; and
monitor cancer incidence.

Other initiatives include:

Governor’s Task Force on Breast Cancer
County Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalitions
Appalachia Cancer Network
Mobile Mammography Services
Providers Practice Prevention
Cooper/Clayton Adult Smoking Cessation
Comprehensive Cancer Control

Exploring Better Ways to Serve
KCP bases its activities and program offerings on research:

The state’s cancer problems are closely monitored through the Kentucky Cancer Registry, and community interventions are directed toward the greatest needs;
Research is conducted to develop effective new cancer control programs;
KCP monitors education and outreach programs nationally, integrating the best practices for patients in the region; and
All programs are evaluated for effectiveness in addressing Kentucky’s cancer burden.

For more information, call the office in your region or visit
http://www.louisville.edu/org/kycancerprogram.

KCP Offices

Bowling Green
(270) 842-0950

Elizabethtown
(270) 360-0901

Hazard
(606) 487-8360

Highland Heights
(859) 442-3525

Lexington
(859) 219-0772

Louisville
(502) 852-6318

Madisonville
(270) 821-4298

Maysville
(606) 759-0300

Morehead
(606) 784-6458

Owensboro
(270) 683-2560

Paducah
(270) 442-1310

Somerset
(606) 679-7204