Each year, about 20,820 Kentuckians are diagnosed with cancer, and 9,160 die from the disease. That’s an average of 57 new cancer diagnoses and 25 cancer deaths in our state every day. The mission of the Kentucky Cancer Program (KCP) is to promote education, research and service programs to reduce this heavy cancer burden in our state.

We are unique.
The KCP is recognized nationally as a unique program that is state-funded, university-affiliated, and community-based. The KCP was created in 1982 and is jointly administered by the University of Kentucky Lucille Parker Markey Cancer Center and the University of Louisville James Graham Brown Cancer Center. The partnership with Kentucky’s two major academic institutions and cancer centers enables KCP activities to be based on science, driven by the latest and most accurate cancer data, and interwoven with research efforts.

We are community-based.
The KCP operates through a network of 13 regional offices staffed by trained and experienced cancer control specialists who provide local leadership on cancer prevention and control initiatives for all of Kentucky’s 120 counties. The KCP works closely with the Kentucky Cancer Registry and 15 District Cancer Councils across the state to identify and develop interventions/solutions to address cancer problems in their communities. 

We are dedicated to education, research and service.
The KCP provides a variety of cancer programs and services to health professionals, the public, patients and survivors. Collaboration is at the heart of all we do. The KCP establishes partnerships and works closely with state and local health departments, the Cooperative Extension Service, the Kentucky Cancer Registry, the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service, and other national, state and local organizations.

With our partners, the KCP has four major goals:

	Increase awareness of cancer prevention and risk factors.
	Increase cancer screenings and early prevention.
	Increase access to cancer treatment and care resources.
	Improve the quality of life for cancer survivors.