Health professionals offer free cancer screenings, wellness checks at Kentucky State Fair

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Fairgoers can access free health care resources at the Kentucky State Fair.

The Health Horizons area in the south wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center doesn't have any rides, food or artwork. Instead, health professionals screen for breast cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer. There's also been blood pressure checks, vaccinations, maternal wellness, heart rhythm, diabetic education and more offered throughout the fair days.

Kentucky Cancer Program is a statewide cancer prevention and control program. Pam Temple, Cancer Control Specialist with the Kentucky Cancer Program, said hundreds of people are screened each day at the fair.

"The earlier we can find the cancer the more treatment options and higher survival rate," Temple said. "We actually have people who come back every year to have a skin cancer screening or prostate screening. Then we have individuals who come back and say thank you for being here, you actually found my cancer last year. We know we're making a difference."

Alexis Misra, who attended the fair on Saturday, was screened for skin cancer. She said the screenings are important for people around the state who don't have access to health care.

"The annual screenings are really great, they're free. It's easy to sign up," Misra said. "It's really nice to get them all knocked out in one place if you don't have availability in your daily schedule."

Greg Creech visited the state fair from Wolfe County. It was the first time he has participated in the screenings, but he plans to do it again the future.

"At my age, I try to stay on top of things health wise, do all the screenings that are needed, stay ahead of the game," Creech said. "It doesn't cost you a thing, you're out in two minutes."

Former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry, who is also the founder of Kentucky Prostate Cancer Coalition, said prostate cancer is preventable if it's detected early enough.

"Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death in men," Henry said. "Most of the men we see from rural Kentucky have not had a prostate exam or PSA in their lifetime. I was diagnosed at the age of 47."

In 2024, the American Cancer Society expects 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer.

"We've screened thousands of thousands of men and saved hundreds of lives," Henry said. "A 10-minute test saved my life, it can save yours."

On Sunday, UofL Health will offer blood pressure screenings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kentucky Cancer Program will offer prostate cancer screening, a PSA blood test, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mammography screenings will not be offered on Sunday. To see the full schedule, click here.

The 2024 Kentucky State Fair continues until Aug. 25 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. The fair has hundreds of activities scheduled during its 11 days.

To learn more about the Kentucky State Fair, click here.

Related Stories: