LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Several communities across the commonwealth experience health disparities and are disproportionately affected by cancer, with west Louisville being no exception.
The Kentucky Cancer Action Plan, which lays out a framework for reducing health inequities, includes working with organizations and people who are trying to fix health inequities, addressing power dynamics and how marginalized people are left out of health-related decisions and letting those who are affected tell their stories.
John Tucker, a west Louisville man, was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2022. He is now using his story to educate and empower others in his community.
“Through the grace of God I’m here today, talking and sharing to people each and every day the importance of getting early cancer screenings,” Tucker said.
He spreads that important message at churches and health fairs across west Louisville.
Educating the community on getting screened is one piece of this large puzzle. Robert Emmons, who is part of the bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy group at UofL Health, detailed other factors that impact cancer outcomes in patients.
“Definitely seeing a disparity in terms of the number of patients who are not having appropriate insurance coverage or not really realizing because of an educational deficit the need for the screening to come in and get appropriate screening for these cancers,” Emmons said.
UofL Health said it has made efforts to offer cancer screenings to west Louisville residents. Transportation can be another barrier for cancer patients to get the treatment they need. To combat this issue, Emmons added the hospital system provides transportation vouchers.
“Anything that stands in the way of the mission of getting people successfully through their cancer, hopefully cured and back to life, is something that weighs on us very much," Emmons said. "We always want to remove impediments to make those things happen for people."
Despite the historical disparities that have and continue to affect west Louisville, Tucker has seen improvement through the years.
“I am happy, and I’m very, very proud that more and more hospital systems are coming to west Louisville,” Tucker said. “It is a food desert, but once again, there are a few major grocery store chains that are in the area that ... I think it’s gotten a lot better than it has in the past.”
He stressed the importance of a well-balanced diet and exercise to stay healthy.
Tucker’s cancer had spread to his back and lymph nodes. After 47 radiation treatments, his cancer is undetectable.