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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Sara A. Becker, PhD cand, RN¹, Dyanne D. Affonso, PhD, RN², and Madonna Blue Horse Beard, MS, RN¹. (1) College of Nursing, South Dakota State University, 1011 11th Street, Rapid City, SD 57702, 605-394-5486, sara.becker@sdstate.edu, (2) College of Nursing, University of Hawaii, 200 W Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 9620-4091

The purpose of this research was to understand the cultural meanings of cancer among American Indian women from the Northern Plains tribes, and their experiential perspective of breast and cervical cancer screening. Among the 12 Indian Health Service areas, the Aberdeen Area Indian Health Service of the Northern Plains states had the highest breast and cervical cancer mortality rates which are higher than the overall U.S. rates. Talking Circle and focus group methodology, combined with Affonso's Focus Groups Analytic Schema, were used to generate contextual data sets and thematic findings.Using a purposive sample, 28 women, 35-75 years of age, were recruited into three Talking Circles. Ten themes emerged indicating interrelationships between cultural traditions and health structures of care. Use of these combined methodologies provided a unique perspective for conceptualizing American Indian women's experiences with breast and cervical cancer screening. Incorporating women's cultural experiences into screening services is necessary to address clinical and policy challenges for reducing breast and cervical cancer mortality among American Indian women. Findings from this research will be used to guide a future study investigating breast screening patterns related to mammography adherence and development of interventions specific to Northern Plains tribes American Indian women.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Describe methodology and thematic findings from Talking Circles conducted with Northern Plains American Indian women in Western South Dakota.
• 2.Discuss the health implications of incorporating women’s input into breast and cervical cancer screening services.

Keywords: Cancer Screening, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation