Cancer in Appalachia: A Collection of Youth-Told Stories, Volume Two

Cancer is a scourge that impacts far too many Kentuckians, especially in Appalachian Kentucky, where the cancer rates are highest, driven by unhealthy behaviors, such as tobacco use and socioeconomic conditions, including poverty and insufficient health care access.

Each cancer case comes with its own unique story. The individualized way in which cancer impacts patients, their families, and communities is the central theme of this book. Cancer in Appalachia: A Collection of Youth-Told Stories, Volume Two, is an anthology of fictional stories about cancer in Appalachian Kentucky, written by high school and undergraduate students from the region. The students are participants or alumni of the Youth Enjoy Science National Cancer Institute-funded Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program located at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center.

The authors leveraged their own lived experiences and knowledge of cancer to convey fictional yet highly realistic stories about the pain and disruption that cancer causes individuals, families, and entire communities in the Appalachian region. The stories are powerful, emotional, inspiring, and educational.

Through the voice of youth from the region, we hope these stories bring awareness to the cancer disparities in Appalachian Kentucky and inspire ACTION that will address the issues that drive the high rates of the disease. We hope you value and learn from the stories.

For more information about ACTION, visit the program’s website: www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/action