HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Kentucky leads the nation in tobacco production and use. So it's not a surprise to Kristy Bolen of the Ashland-Boyd Health Department that Kentucky also leads the country in lung cancer rates in both men and women.

"(We call those stats) the 'Kentucky Uglies'," Bolen said. "we've seen a decline in youth smoking, which is a really good indicator, because, eventually, the youth will grow up."

Kentucky is fourth in the country in all cancer cases.

'"Screening and community awareness and preventative health maintenance is the main way of picking it up early and be able to deal with it and treat these cancers," Dr. Timothy Dixon said.

KDMC and SOMC are offering free prostate screenings over the next few weeks to coincide with National Prostate Awareness Month.

Gary Robinette of England Hill, Ky., is one of the men who made an appointment with King's Daughters Medical Center Tuesday. Gary's late father had prostate cancer in the later years of his life.

"You just don't have any excuse for not doing it. Dog gone, it's free. Come in, and get it done," Robinette said.

Prostate Cancer Screenings offered by KDMC:

Sept. 15, 1-4 p.m.: Cedar Knoll Family Care Center
Sept. 18, 5-7 p.m.: Northeast Kentucky Urology
Sept. 23, 9 a.m.: Noon: Flatwoods Family Care Center
Sept. 24, 9 a.m.: Noon: Tri-State Regional Cancer Center
**Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Urology Center of Northeastern Kentucky

**The only day with appointments still available at the publish date is Sept. 26.

Southern Ohio Medical Center will offer free prostate cancer screenings by appointment Sept. 16, 18, 22, 23 and 24 at a location to be announced.

West Virginia is 23rd and Ohio is ranked 39rd in all cancer cases.

**Statistics are provided from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.