Lee Anne Pope and UK Markey Cancer Center launch cancer screening initiative: ‘Set Your Screen’
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
Lee Anne Pope, wife of University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope, has launched a new campaign called “Set Your Screen,” along with the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center.
The initiative encourages Kentuckians to talk to their healthcare providers about recommended cancer screenings.
“Cancer has touched nearly every branch of my family tree,” Pope said at an Oct. 5 news conference. “We’ve lived through the fear, uncertainty and heartbreak that come with a cancer diagnosis.”
Pope said she has been a longtime advocate for cancer screenings. Her father died from prostate cancer, her mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer twice, and several other close family members have been diagnosed with or died from cancer.
“My father was 52 and had terminal prostate cancer,” she said in a news release. “If he had been screened, there’s a strong possibility my dad would still be here.”
She added that her mom had two bouts of breast cancer that were discovered because of routine screenings and were successfully treated. “She had no symptoms, no discomfort,” she said.
Pope said she met with UK Markey Cancer Center Director Dr. Mark Evers after their first season in Kentucky to discuss ways to support cancer research, treatment and prevention in Kentucky. During this meeting, she learned that Kentucky has the highest cancer mortality and incidence rate in the nation.
“I want Kentucky to be number one in everything — but not that,” Pope said.
Because of her family history, Pope said she decided to get screened earlier than standard recommendations call for.
“Screening isn’t just about finding cancer; it’s about finding it early,” she said.
Recommended cancer screenings are important because early detection is one of the most effective tools to prevent deaths from cancer. Markey Cancer Center said in the release that screenings have led to declines in late-stage diagnosis and cancer deaths, especially for lung and colorectal cancers, but the need for more screenings remains urgent.
“Imagine how many more Kentuckians could be here with us today if they’ve been screened for cancer,” said Evers.
Pope said the campaign was named “Set Your Screen” for its ties to basketball, adding that in basketball, setting a screen can win games, but off the court, setting your screen for cancer is an opportunity that can save lives.
“If even one Kentuckian hears this message and schedules a screening they otherwise would have skipped, this campaign will be a success. If one family has a conversation that leads to an early diagnosis and a better outcome, it’ll be totally worth it,” Pope said.
Cancer screening guidelines
Cancer screening recommendations vary depending on age, gender, personal health, family history and the type of test or exam it requires. Here are some broad general guidelines for men and women. Talk with a health care provider about age, family history and risk factors to determine which screenings you need.
- Age 21: Women should start cervical cancer screening. Both men and women should begin talking with their healthcare providers about their family history and cancer risk.
- Age 40: Women can begin regular mammograms for breast cancer screening – though if there is a family history of breast cancer, women may start screening as early as age 25.
- Age 45: Both men and women should begin screening for colorectal cancer. Though if there is a family history of colorectal cancer, screening may be recommended at a younger age.
- Age 50: Men and women with a history of smoking should talk to their providers about their eligibility for lung cancer screening. Women should also talk to their providers about ovarian cancer screening.
- Age 55: Men should talk with their provider about prostate cancer screening, especially if they have a family history of the disease.
- Age 65: Women should speak with their provider about whether cervical cancer screening should continue.
- Age 75: Both men and women should talk to their provider about which screenings may still be appropriate for their health and risk factors.