ABSTRACT
The Native American Cancer Survivors' Support Network is an innovative public health program designed to improve survival from cancer and the quality of life after a cancer diagnosis for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Canadian Aboriginal patients and their loved ones. The Network, initiated in 1999, now has more than 300 survivors enrolled as members. This article briefly describes the process that led to its formation and preliminary findings, primarily for breast cancer survivors, of ongoing qualitative and quantitative research. Network data show patterns of cancer care that are partially responsible for poor survivorship outcomes.
Subject(s)
Health Services, Indigenous/organization & administration , Indians, North American/psychology , Neoplasms/ethnology , Neoplasms/therapy , Quality Assurance, Health Care/organization & administration , Self-Help Groups/organization & administration , Social Support , Survivors/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , Breast Neoplasms/ethnology , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Female , Focus Groups , Health Care Surveys , Health Services Research , Health Services, Indigenous/standards , Humans , Neoplasms/psychology , Organizational Innovation , Organizational Objectives , Program Development , Program Evaluation , Quality of Life/psychology , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Over the past 20 years, considerable progress has been made in the early detection and treatment of cancer. Despite these advances, cancer incidence and mortality rates among Native Americans have not kept pace. Cancer centers are in a unique position to offer technical assistance, resources, and a long term commitment that can help address these concerns within tribal communities. METHODS: The University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center developed a proactive plan to build collaborative partnerships with Wisconsin Native Americans. This began with an outreach plan that prioritized intervention strategies. A Native American health professional was hired to serve as liaison and advocate. Resources were committed, and staff was assigned to work with the community to develop intervention strategies that would be culturally competent and able to address the concerns of community members. RESULTS: Various collaborative activities resulted from these efforts. These included participation in Native American cancer work groups, conferences, and seminars. Most importantly, these efforts resulted in a partnership with the Native American community that is based on honor and mutual respect. CONCLUSIONS: Careful planning, prioritization, allocation of resources, and a commitment to Native Americans can result in partnerships with the community and interventions that address their cancer control needs. Building and sustaining these partnerships takes time and thoughtful exploration of issues and concerns to develop mutual trust and respect. Both cancer centers and tribal communities can benefit by recognizing that shared power, as a reciprocal value, can benefit the whole.