A Life Saved on the Road Kentucky’s Mobile Cancer Fight

A Life Saved on the Road

Kentucky’s Mobile Cancer Fight

Gideon Thompson

The Ashland Beacon

While driving through Kentucky, someone will notice the beautiful rolling hills, mountainsides, and winding rivers spanning through the state. Scattered among the hills and trees are communities filled with hardworking people striving to live life to their fullest potential. Each town is different, as resources are limited based on location availability or funding options. Where one place may have access to digital entertainment, another may not have the level of communication available for streaming services. When we travel from county to county, we may not notice that medical options are different everywhere we travel. Planning for surgery or other medical procedures can become an insurmountable task without proper networking or transportation.

When we think of breast cancer, we don’t always consider the availability of medical assistance such as mammography and treatment options. Oncological medical provisions can be limited in areas where the support for them operating hasn’t been established yet. From one end of the state to the other, resources are available for breast cancer treatment once someone has found a connection to those establishments. A trip to the doctor in rural Kentucky can be challenging in comparison to more developed regions, as a visit may have to be planned far in advance to make the long trip into town.

Mobile mammography has been made available to some Kentuckians, making a life-saving interaction more accessible to those in need. While traveling to mobile mammography fairs may take planning, it allows more remote locations the ability to be seen by professionals. Breast cancer is the second most lethal cancer in the state of Kentucky and the number one diagnosis of cancer types. Being among the top 5 states for breast cancer mortality within the US, mobile mammography plays a significant role in saving lives. One such life is that of Rebecca Runyon from Paintsville, Kentucky.

In May of 2024, Rebecca Runyon was diagnosed with ductal breast cancer with King’s Daughters Mobile Mammography unit. As oncological resources are limited in some rural areas of the state, Rebecca found an opportunity to be seen with the mobile medical staff of King’s Daughters during a mammography screening event. Once Rebecca had discovered she needed further medical assistance, other obstacles had been presented. With support from her daughter Amber, Mrs. Runyon was able to commute from Paintsville to Ashland over the course of her treatment. Treatments began in July of 2024, leading to a lipectomy in September. A fast and aggressive action had been provided to Mrs. Runyon, allowing her to continue life with her family. From the beginning of Rebecca’s journey with King’s Daughters, she noted that “All were excellent doctors. I couldn’t ask for no better.” She is thankful to have been treated with respect as she confronted a challenging time in her life.

As Mrs. Runyon continues her life, positivity and compassion are now a staple for her every day. Staying positive and looking to the future while undergoing treatment can make a big difference in the outcome of the process, as we respond, in part, based on our outlook. With support from family and the oncological department of UK King’s Daughters, Rebecca Runyon has made her way into recovery and is doing her best to stay healthy and survive the odds.