Cancer in Appalachia
Photo Exhibit

ACTION Photo Exhibit

Kentucky has the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States; no other state in the country has a worse cancer problem than does Kentucky. There are over 30,000 new cases and 10,000 deaths each year in the state. What is worse is that cancer rates are greatest in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. The high cancer rates are caused by elevated cancer risk factors and other issues including fewer health care facilities in the region.

The Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center prepares high school and undergraduate students from Appalachian Kentucky to address the cancer problems in their communities now and in the future. By sharing cancer education information, ACTION students can increase community members’ cancer knowledge which can aid in reducing cancer rates in the area.

As a way to share cancer education, ACTION participants have been taking photographs in their communities that remind them of the causes and consequences of cancer. We share these images with you in our “Cancer In Appalachia” exhibit.

We thank our sponsors including the National Cancer Institute that funds the ACTION Program, University of Kentucky (UK) Markey Cancer Center, UK HealthCare, CREATE and UK Arts in Health Care.

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Irony in marketing.
Matthew Sanders, Laurel County

The public road named after the local tobacco market.
Kaitlin Schumaker, Laurel County

Tobacco field – This tobacco is almost ready to harvest. Tobacco and tobacco products are one of the main causes of cancer.
Karlee Compton, Montgomery County

This is a picture of my grandparents holding hands. When my Mamaw Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer, my Papaw Everett dedicated all of himself to helping her as much as he could. He exhibits the gentleness and love of caretakers, who help their loved ones when they need it most.
Allie Combs, Wolfe County

A high school student’s vaping device, confiscated by his mother.
Nathan Hogg, Rowan County

Crawl spaces can contain very high levels of radon. Radon gives off radiation, which can damage cells in the body and eventually lead to cancer.
Hanah Whisenant, Lawrence County

Relay for Life – These are my great-great-aunt’s Relay For Life medals from all the years she battled breast cancer. We keep them close and think frequently about how this horrible disease took her life.
John Staton, Elliott County

A photo of a butterfly seems like a weird way to express what cancer means to you, but do you know what a butterfly resembles? A butterfly resembles change. Kentucky needs change. We need a breakthrough. Every time I think of my Old Kentucky Home, I think of what it means to me, and how important it is that we see a decrease in cancer cases. I believe we can do it. I believe we will see a CHANGE.
Brianna Reyes, Carter County

After my sister, Hailey, had finished her chemotherapy, my parents put the Hickman Catheter on a doll so that she would understand what she had undergone. This represents the innocence of the many childhood cancer survivors.
Allie Combs, Wolfe County

“Exposure to silica dust can lead to the development of lung cancer, silicosis, kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is estimated that 230 people develop lung cancer each year as a result of past exposure to silica dust at work.”
Kassidy Burke, Lawrence County

A tobacco market for local tobacco farmers.
Kaitlin Schumaker, Laurel County

Although smoking inside the facility may be prohibited, at the edge of the parking lot you can see human nature running its course. People smoke before they go in, and get their fix before they can be told not to. There will always be loopholes in the systems, but any kind of change is better than no change at all.
Kinley Lewis, Elliott County

This bench is located at my Papaw’s grave. He is missed greatly.
Matthew Sanders, Laurel County

A Perry County, Kentucky coal tipple still in operation. Coal tipples are facilities in which the mined coal is loaded usually into train cars for transport. Numerous studies have linked the health problems like black lung disease and lung cancer developed by coal miners and other employees of the coal industry to the coal dust they were regularly exposed to while on the job.
Chezney Boothe, Perry County

Billboard advertising the local Appalachian Smoke that sells vaping products.
Zane Whitaker, Magoffin County

Ultraviolent exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer, and many people don’t know the importance of protecting yourself against these rays.
Holly Dickens, Rowan County

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Unhealthy diet. Continually eating an unhealthy diet can contribute to obesity, which can lead to cancer.
Karlee Compton, Montgomery County

An empty field. An opportunity for a new Hope Lodge, or the start of a treatment center. An empty field, the opportunity to grow what has the power to kill us: tobacco. What is more important to us? Provision, or destruction.
Brianna Reyes, Carter County

Devices like tanning beds and sun lamps can emit higher amounts of ultraviolent radiation than the sun, including both UVA and UVB radiation. UV radiation of any type increases your cancer risk, and the more you get, the higher your risk.
Bella Dunn, Magoffin County

It is no surprise that pollution is a leading factor to lung cancer all over the world! This is Smithfield Ham Plant only 19 miles from my home, they pollute the air 7 days a week 24 hours a day.
John Staton, Elliott County

Growing up this was always normal farmers planting tobacco this time of year. Not many farmers grow it anymore so there is no one there to teach young ones about tobacco. This could be why we have seen an increase in teenage smoking rates.
Nolan Marcum, Carter County

Elevated levels of benzene, a cancer-causing component of oil, is found in water which can and will cause cancer.
Kassidy Burke, Lawrence County

A teacher at Lawrence County High School creates a banner for the football players to run through at a game dedicated to childhood cancer awareness.
Haleigh Thompson, Lawrence County

Lard is fattening ingredient that makes up many of the fried foods traditional to eastern Kentucky. This contributes to obesity, worsening the changes of one developing cancer.
Susanna Goggans, Johnson County

This is a picture of a medicine bottle. When a person goes through cancer, they must take several types of medication.
Allie Combs, Wolfe County

An abandoned barn, once used to store tobacco.
Nathan Hogg, Rowan County

A recent study of public drinking water systems in Kentucky showed that half of them contained levels of cancer-causing chemical significantly higher than what is considered safe. This image of a river that is a public water source is not encouraging, due to the obvious bad health of its local environment.
Chezney Boothe, Perry County

This picture is of a carbon power plant called Calgon Carbon. According to Clean Technica, “Because such workers had at least a 50% increased lung cancer risk, our results suggest that the high air concentrations of elemental carbon reported in some urban areas may confer increased risk of lung cancer.”
Hanah Whisenant, Lawrence County

Some of the things we are around every day, such as this umbrella, are coated in cancer-causing substances.
Holly Dickens, Rowan County

My father’s hard hat, taken with him to work in a coal mine. Coal dust is known to cause “black lung”, a type of lung cancer developed by inhaling coal dust.
Allisa Pack, Lawrence County

Cigarettes contain a harmful chemical called Benzopyrene which is a chemical that becomes a DNA disrupter which causes mutations that may lead to cancer.
Makinna Caudill, Magoffin County

Cancer is in our thoughts and prayers, constantly.
Natalie Barker, Elliott County

“Through these images, our ACTION students are sharing cancer education, raising awareness and building community that stretches far beyond the Appalachian region of Kentucky.”
- Jason Akhtarekhavari, UK Arts in Healthcare Manager

A pair of Croc-like shoes that my grandmother wore and passed down to my sister.
Andrew Davidson, Rowan County

This is a picture of an ashtray can at one of our local restaurants. As a kid I remember seeing these everywhere, it’s reassuring to know there are less and less of these today. As a Kentuckian, cancer is unfortunately not a shock to anyone. Although it used to be our “Normal”, we’re beginning to see exceeding triumph over this disease.
Brianna Reyes, Carter County

In many rural areas, fast food is one of the only options when eating out. When eating a lot of processed foods is associated with cancer, this is not good for the people that live in these rural areas.
Holly Dickens, Rowan County

An abandoned family coal mine.
Kaitlin Schumaker, Laurel County

One of the many carcinogens seen in high schools.
Natalie Barker, Elliott County

Fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and green beans cooked with bacon. A delicious and classic meal, however full of grease and fat. Foods like these commonly make the people of eastern Kentucky unhealthier and increase their risk of cancer.
Susanna Goggans, Johnson County

All throughout my Mamaw’s treatment, she always moved forward with bravery and hope. She is a perfect representative of the bravery of cancer patients. She wore this beanie after her hair had fallen out from the treatment.
Allie Combs, Wolfe County

This photo depicts the hands of a coal miner after working in the mines. Coal miners often develop black lung disease and/or cancer because of coal dust.
Caylee Caudill, Johnson County

Medals for runners of Corbin’s annual Paint The Town Pink Run/Walk for breast cancer awareness.
Katelyn Nigro, Whitley County

A leg and prosthetic belonging to another friend of my mother’s, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the femur after x-rays of her leg showed a tumor. The cancer was so advanced that amputation of the entire leg was the only option for treatment. She named her new prosthetic leg Lucille and discusses life with a prosthesis on a personal blog on Facebook called The One-legged Librarian.
Chezney Boothe, Perry County

Almost everywhere you go, you will see littered tobacco products. Many people ignore the harsh effects of using tobacco in Appalachia, which correlates with the high cancer rate.
Holly Dickens, Rowan County

A nearby coal field.
Kaitlin Schumaker, Laurel County

A few papers important to my mother’s treatment. Most of them are pages of information written on by her oncologist; one has a pedigree tracking her gene mutation that may have led to her breast cancer.
Andrew Davidson, Rowan County

The London-Laurel County Wellness Park is a sign of hope for the future. Officials built the park around two old coal silos. Coal was essential to our area in the past, but the wellness park provides us with ways to keep our community healthy now and into the future. Walking trails, bike ramps, and basketball courts are a few things that can be enjoyed here.
Matthew Sanders, Laurel County

These are signs that my family purchased from Relay for Life team to help raise money for a cure. In memory of Amanda Binion (my aunt), Patty Frazier (my great great aunt), and Terry Maggard (my grandpa).
John Staton, Elliott County

The photo is of my mother’s coat and stethoscope that she wears to work as a nurse. She has been one of the biggest inspirations in my interest in oncology and often works with cancer patients at her job.
Caylee Caudill, Johnson County

“We hope that some people will think about their own cancer risk factors and how to modify behaviors that can reduce their cancer risk.”
- Nathan Vanderford, PhD, ACTION Program Director

A family tobacco barn.
Kaitlin Schumaker, Laurel County

An old sign for “Eastern Ky. Tobacco Warehouses”.
Nathan Hogg, Rowan County

Polluted creek – This polluted creek has potentially harmful chemicals. Some of these chemicals can be harmful to humans if they do not wear the proper personal protective equipment. These chemicals can also contaminate drinking ater. When farmers spray herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals, the run-off when it rains eventually ends up in creeks like this.
Karlee Compton, Montgomery County

If I had to name this photo, I would definitely call it “The First Light.” When I took this, it made me think of when someone first tries smoking and it leads down a dark path.
Caylee Caudill, Johnson County

Whitley County’s volleyball team wears ribbons in support of a senior student being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Katelyn Nigro, Whitley County

Tap water may contain lead acetate which is proven to be a cause for multiple types of cancer.
Makinna Caudill, Magoffin County

Pictured are breast cancer cells produced in a lab at the University of Kentucky, an institution working to reduce the prevalence of cancer in Kentucky.
Holly Dickens, Rowan County

Tobacco sticks n my great grandparent’s barn.
Nathan Hogg, Rowan County

Coal from the once family coal mine.
Kaitlin Schumaker, Laurel County

A Letcher County, Kentucky coal tipple, no longer in operation.
Chezney Boothe, Perry County

The famous “Roundup weed killer” which has been linked to cause cancer. This product maybe found in lots of homes and even used by the cities to get rid of weeds. This product has been tested and found to cause Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Rachel Collins, Clay County

Ashtray used by a 44-year-old female that has smoked since she was a teenager.
Zane Whitaker, Magoffin County

A tobacco section in a convenience store. Everyone who checks out here has to walk past the counter and see all the advertising.
Joshua Griffith, Greenup County

Coal mining played a massive role in the economic development of the Eastern Kentucky region; however, it has probably also played a role in the elevated cancer rates of the region. Both cancer incidence and mortality rates in communities located near mines are high. This underground mine is located in Van Lear and went out of operation many years ago.
Kaylee Compton, Montgomery County

An empty cigarette box and cigarette butts scatter the ground, showing the obstacles present in Appalachia.
Olivia Thornsbury, Pike County

Every time the principal at my school catches someone with a vape, she puts it in this fishbowl. I was shocked at the quantity of vapes representing the number of young people hurting their lungs. This habit could really affect them when they get older.
Camari Parker, Elliott County

“I’ve learned a lot about how cancer has affected Appalachia. By being in ACTION, I can go back to my hometown to spread information about how to prevent habits that lead to cancer and help the people in my community.”
- Camari Parker, Elliott County, ACTION Program Participant

Easter sunrise with Nana: a look into life on hospice care and what it means to accept your diagnosis with grace.
Katie Anne Brown, Laurel County

An appreciation note from my mother while taking care of her during her cancer treatments.
Haleigh Thompson, County

Hope Scarf: A scarf passed from woman to woman undergoing chemotherapy as a symbol of strength and a reminder that patients are not alone.
Haleigh Thompson, Lawrence County

A tan could turn into skin cancer. Is the tan worth it?
Kelci Blair, Johnson County

Start your morning off right with a daily serving of carcinogens.
Lily Kate Hubbs, Knox County

An angel that was gifted to my family when my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. Embedded on its wing is a quote that highlights the courage those with cancer carry when facing their battle with the disease.
Mackenzie Caldwell, Madison County

This knot is called a burl. Burls pull nutrients from the rest of the tree to grow, just as cancerous tumors do. These knots remind me of tumors and are similar to cancers in that they both have the capacity to kill.
Jonathan Ramsey, Pulaski County

With cancer comes medication - chemotherapy. An IV is what carries chemotherapy through the body.
Eryka Criswell, Wayne County

Cancer is like kudzu: invasive, aggressive, and, if left unchecked, deadly.
Griffin James, Carter County

These pill bottles represent the medication and treatment that goes along with cancer.
Isabelle Pace, Leslie County

Tobacco hanging to dry in a barn. Tobacco is a leading ingredient in many products that can lead to cancer.
Rachel Henderson, Green County

I found these in my grandparents’ basement. They’re a good example of how commonplace tobacco is in Appalachia.
Sophia Beaudoin, Wayne County

These were found in a bag of old family recipes. Tobacco and coal advertisements are so second-nature that things were written on them without a second thought.
Sophia Beaudoin, Wayne County

Small towns stand strong with their community members battling cancer, and sometimes the person you’re standing with is closer than you think. We wear Pink for Coach Heather.
Tessa Goble, Carter County

To see someone smoking is a common occurrence in Clinton County. The stubs of cigarettes are all over parking lots, and there are ashtrays outside of almost every business and restaurant. Smoking caused my late grandfather’s small cell lung cancer after he smoked for almost 40 years. Even though public awareness has somewhat increased, the number of smokers in Clinton County appears to show no sign of stopping.
Tyler Guffey, Clinton County

The Kentucky Capitol building in Frankfort is a symbol of the lives and voices of Kentuckians across the state. Unfortunately, cancer disproportionately affects the lives of individuals living in the Appalachian region of our Commonwealth. Could the legislature do more to combat the hardships facing so many in Appalachia?
Kaylee Compton, Montgomery County

Vapes that have been collected from my school.
Rachel Henderson, Green County

Right in the center of Albany, Kentucky, this store seeks to capitalize off the vaping trend that has swept both my county and the country.
Tyler Guffey, Clinton County

Vapor Pit: Ironically named vape shop/lounge, one of many moving into London, KY.
Katie Anne Brown, Laurel County

My uncle drives this school bus. He has many stories of students who have overdosed in school from dap pens and other harmful substances.
Hannah Hamric, Elliott County

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Cancer in Appalachia
Photo Exhibit

ACTION Photo Exhibit