The Kentucky Cancer Consortium has published the latest Kentucky Cancer Action Plan, which provides a comprehensive blueprint for reducing cancer burden throughout the Commonwealth by 2030. The Kentucky Cancer Consortium is a statewide coalition of more than 120 partner organizations and is administered by the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center on behalf of the state.

Kentucky continues to face a significant cancer burden, ranking first nationally in the rate of new cancers and second in cancer death rates. Scientists estimate that more than half of cancers could be prevented by applying current knowledge, such as changing behaviors, reducing risks, addressing disparities, minimizing toxic exposures and removing precancerous lesions.

The Kentucky Cancer Action Plan helps guide the cancer control efforts of health care providers, community organizations, policymakers and other stakeholders across Kentucky. The plan outlines evidence-based strategies to reduce cancer risk, detect cancer early, optimize survivorship treatment and care, address childhood cancer and reduce health inequities.

The 2021 Kentucky Cancer Needs Assessment and the Childhood Cancer in Kentucky Report laid the groundwork for partners to focus on Kentucky’s current challenges and opportunities while drafting the new plan, said Pamela Hull, Ph.D., associate director of population science and community impact at the UK Markey Cancer Center.

“This plan is the product of a collaborative effort among statewide and community-based partner organizations — including surveys, interviews and multiple meetings where feedback provided helped to shape the plan with an overall goal of improving Kentucky’s cancer outcomes,” said Elaine Russell, program director of the Kentucky Cancer Consortium.

The latest plan puts a stronger spotlight on health equity, thanks to a framework created with the late Vivian Lasley-Bibbs, a founding Kentucky Cancer Consortium leader and other partners. The document outlines opportunities to help ensure all Kentuckians have fair access to cancer prevention, early detection and treatment resources.

“We are excited to continue to work together toward making an impact on cancer in Kentucky,” said Jennifer R. Knight, Ph.D., Kentucky Cancer Consortium co-principal investigator. “We have made progress since our first Kentucky Cancer Action Plan in 2001, and this new plan provides a guide for us to continue this important work by working together.”

The complete Kentucky Cancer Action Plan is available to download here.