Gov. Andy Beshear proclaimed October 2026 as Cancer Education and Prevention Month in Kentucky. The proclamation recognizes the role of youth education in lowering the state’s cancer rates and names two University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center programs as models for that work.
Beshear signed the proclamation Oct. 29 during his Team Kentucky update in Frankfort. Nathan Vanderford, Ph.D., director of UK Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Kentucky Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) program, and Holly Burke, program coordinator for both Markey programs named in the proclamation, joined the governor for the signing. Vanderford is an associate professor in the UK College of Medicine and a member of the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Kentucky. About 40% of cancers can be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco use, and through early screening.
The proclamation encourages schools, libraries and civic organizations to offer cancer awareness and education activities, which help young people learn about cancer, its risk factors and behaviors that can lower their risk.
The proclamation highlights two Markey programs that provide cancer education, research training and community outreach. ACTION offers hands-on research experience, clinical shadowing and outreach training to high school and undergraduate students from Appalachian Kentucky counties. Since launching in 2016, ACTION has trained162 students from 41 of Kentucky’s 54 Appalachian counties.
Markey’s Healthcare Experience & Research in Oncology program, which has served 113 Kentucky students since 2020, gives high school students two weeks of online summer programming on careers in cancer research and healthcare. Students work on research projects with peers from partner institutions and receive mentoring from professionals in the field.
“We’re grateful to Gov. Beshear for recognizing the importance of cancer education for young Kentuckians,” Vanderford said. “Our hope is that this proclamation brings greater awareness to the cancer disparities in our state and opens the door to more outreach in communities across Kentucky, especially with youth, about behaviors that can help prevent cancer.”