Breast Cancer Awareness Community Resource Fair, Unity for a Cause

Breast Cancer Awareness Community

Resource Fair, Unity for a Cause

Gideon Thompson

The Ashland Beacon

Detecting breast cancer may be difficult. The presence of cancer isn’t always capable of being checked visually or by touch, as it could be deep within tissue. Where human detection may be limited, X-ray, ultrasound, and chemical methods have been developed, allowing the unseen to be viewed. The late 19th century was full of innovations and technological advancements that shaped the medical field into the 1900s and even today with inventions such as the X-ray. The X-ray was first invented in 1895 while researching cathode-ray tubes, which are testing tubes capable of transmitting an image through electronic bursts. The X-ray was invented by Wilhelm Röntgen, a German scientist who went on to receive a Nobel Peace Prize in Physics during the 1901 World’s Fair. X-rays were used quickly after development, resulting in some of the first treatments of cancer using radiation.

From the invention of X-rays came the use of X-rays in breast cancer detection. The first use was on mastectomy tissue in 1913, followed 14 years later by Otto Kleinschmidt and Erwin Payr, who performed the first mammography with a living patient. Within 3 years, the United States had begun using X-rays for mammography and pushed innovations further, utilizing new techniques. By the 1960s, machines were developed in dedicated research to focus on mammography, making the machines unique to that method of X-ray. 130 years later, we are still using the X-ray technology developed by Mr. Röntgen. Mobile mammography is now available, making X-rays accessible to everyone who is interested in getting breast cancer checked.

This month, on Wednesday, October 29th, the 3rd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Community Resource Fair will be held. The fair will take place at Kentucky Christian University, located at 100 Academic Parkway in Grayson, Kentucky. The event is free of charge and is open to everyone who would like to attend or support others regarding breast cancer awareness. During the fair, UK King's Daughters will be providing mammograms with their mobile mammography unit. The screenings will be free of charge and do not require a doctor’s order. Anyone interested in getting breast cancer screened may do so by registering via phone call to (606) 408-1111. Screenings will take place during the event from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., along with a community resources event from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Resources available to fairgoers are NKCAA-KYNECT, KCU, KDMC Mobile Mammogram Unit, FIVCO, Mountain Comp Street Outreach Program, First Light Home Care, Pathways, Primary Plus, Prichard Elementary, Kentucky Cancer Program, Humana, Carrie Cares Medicine, WellCare, NKCAA Weatherization, KDMC Breast Care Center, Pathways Quick Response Team, Home Place Clinic, Fresh Start Clinic, Carter County Health Department, and Ramey-Estep/Re-group.

Resources are available free of charge and are an asset in the region, as resource availability may be limited in some areas due to the remote nature of our area. The Appalachian region is a network of sprawling hills and mountains, making travel difficult for some. Sometimes time itself can be an obstruction when trying to reach out to resources. We may work during the day and find it hard to travel from rural areas into towns and cities where the resources are located with enough time for assessment.

If you or anyone you know is interested in attending the fair or would like to support the breast cancer awareness event, then look no further. Save the date—Wednesday, October 29th, 2025—the 3rd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Community Resource Fair will be held at KCU! From 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., resources will be made available to everyone.