A Community-Specific Approach to Cancer Research in Indian Country

Abstract

Health care leaders in a small, rural, American Indian community and university partners used the community-based participatory research (CBPR) method to survey cancer survivors. We sought to provide support for the use of CBPR to generate ideas for how to improve the detection and treatment of cancer in American Indian communities. Partners worked together to develop a mail-out survey and send it to the Indian health clinic's patients who had cancer in the past 5 years. The survey sought information on their experiences with cancer screenings, cancer diagnoses, and accessing and receiving cancer treatment. Community leaders identified three priority areas for intervention: (1) high incidence of breast cancer; (2) lack of culturally appropriate cancer education; and (3) need for a more in-depth assessment. CBPR's partnership principle allowed for results to be viewed within the community's context, availability of community resources, and relevant cultural beliefs and traditions.