According to the Kentucky Cancer Consortium, Kentucky ranks at or above the national average for incidence and mortality for lung, colon, breast, and cervical cancer. For each of these, effective prevention and early detection strategies could reduce a large proportion of the cancer mortality rate. One goal for breast cancer is to reduce the proportion of late-stage diagnosis and mortality through screening and early detection by reducing barriers such as screening location and language/cultural factors; ensuring women in counties without mammography facilities have access to breast cancer screening; and promoting and expanding community-level programs (Kentucky Cancer Consortium, Cancer Action Plan).

Logan Memorial Hospital has opened a doctor’s office in Elkton. The director of marketing brought together community partners, including the Todd County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences, to plan and implement women’s breast screening health events in two underserved areas of the county. Specifically, we planned events in Fairview, which has a high population of Amish women, and in Guthrie, a community with high minority (51%) and poverty (35.5%) rates (2020 Census data). 

At the Guthrie location, Logan Memorial Hospital, Todd County Health Department, PACS Office, Kentucky Cancer Program, Community Health Workers, the RX Program, and the Todd County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences and Nutrition Education Program Assistant either provided services or set up booths about services they offer. Thirty-three women: 29-Hispanic, 2-African American, and 2-Caucasian, attended the event.  All thirty-three women received breast exams; Logan Memorial provided 12 women with diagnostic services; ten women were referred to the Kentucky Cancer Program; 21 women were referred to the Health Departments RX Program for food insecurity; and 25 completed stay-well screening.  

In Fairview, 9 breast exams were conducted, 6 people needed follow-up testing, and two people followed up. The event in Fairview was not as well received, possibly due to religious or cultural reasons. 

Depending on the location, the Extension Office offered information about the Nutrition Education (NEP) and Backpack programs, Dangerous Look-a-Likes in the home, Cook Wild Kentucky, and Spanish recipes from Plate It Up Kentucky Proud and NEP programs.  

Overall, both events accomplished the goal of providing screening, reducing both language and location barriers (had 3 interpreters in Guthrie), and promoting community services to underserved audiences. The community partners decided to continue to offer these health events in other areas in the county.