Sat Nov 07 2009
By PAUL GLASSER
State Journal Staff Writer
Behind the statistics lie thousands of stories similar to that of Crit Luallen, state auditor of public accounts and possible gubernatorial candidate.
Luallen spoke Wednesday in the Capitol rotunda at a news conference that addressed the state of cancer in Kentucky. Luallen has survived two bouts of two different types of cancer in the last 18 months. But, she has lost her brother, mother, two aunts, one uncle and a nephew to the disease.
I am now cancer free and I feel great, she said. As Ive been blessed with recovery, Ive also been blessed with a new way of viewing the world.
In one case, Luallen underwent surgery to treat her cancer, and the second time, she went through chemotherapy. During her treatment, Luallen discovered a renewed faith and found new value in friends and family who supported her. Cancer also taught her to treasure every day on Earth.
Through cancer, we learn how precious are the simple moments of life we often take for granted, Luallen said. And, we learn that we should make every one of those moments count.
She credited her survival to dramatic improvements in prevention, detection and treatment. In both cases, Luallens cancer was treatable because it was detected early during colonoscopy exams. According to the American Cancer Society, with early detection, the survival rate is 96 percent for breast cancer, 90 percent for colon cancer and 92 percent for cervical cancer.
I urge every Kentuckian for their own well-being and for the sake of their family, to have every screening done that your doctor recommends, Luallen said. It may be the most important decision you make in your life. It was for me.
The clean bill of health has prompted Luallen to reconsider the possibility of running for governor. The two separate battles with cancer forced her to put her political aspirations on hold. Potential supporters have created Web sites and bumper stickers urging Luallen to run.
I have not made any final decisions, but I am seriously considering a run for governor, she said. I am analyzing the race and what I could offer the people of Kentucky.
Representatives from the Mid-South division of the American Cancer Society presented Luallen and Democratic House floor leader Rocky Adkins with cancer survivor medals. The society hosted the news conference, and some of the information painted a dark picture across the state. According to the group, men in Kentucky have the fifth highest rate of cancer incidence nationally, and have the fourth highest cancer mortality rate. Women in Kentucky hardly fare any better, with the eighth highest rate of incidence and fifth highest rate of mortality.
The picture isnt all gloom and doom, said Shannon Pratt, government relations director for the Mid-South division. We can and will do something about the Kentucky cancer problem.
In 2005, more than 9,500 Kentuckians died from cancer and 23,000 were diagnosed. The society has asked the state for increased funding in detection and prevention programs. Currently funds only cover 17 percent of low-income women eligible to receive Pap tests or mammograms through the state-funded Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, said Dr. Dan Kenady, society board member. But, until we have a cure, prevention is the best way to defeat cancer.
The numbers are even worse in eastern Kentucky, where local cancer mortality rates climb to between 243 and 300 deaths per 100,000 residents. Kenady emphasized the importance of regular and thorough screening.
If we identify cancer in the early stages, we can treat it effectively and save lives, he said.
In that light, the cancer society has set lofty goals. By 2015, it hopes to reduce the cancer mortality rate by 50 percent and reduce the incidence rate by 25 percent. They also hope to create a measured improvement in the quality of life for cancer patients.
We have our work cut out for us, Pratt said.
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