Families Together: A multigenerational and multi-disciplinary approach to cancer education

Families Together, a collaborative project based in Connecticut, was conceived of by Native cancer survivors, tribal leaders, elders, and a team of multi-disciplinary researchers and health educators.. We employ epidemiologic, nursing, public health, Native studies, and ethnographic theories and methodologies to develop and implement a community participatory cancer survivorship education program, serving some of the approximately 25,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives residing in rural and urban Connecticut. Active partnerships with universities, tribes, state and federal health agencies enhance this programming.

Our presentation will delineate the distinct approaches we have used to create, implement, and examine our project. First, we will discuss how qualitative and cancer incidence, mortality, and survival data were collected and analyzed to provide the foundation for education materials and the structure of cancer education sessions. Second, we will outline the creation of a Native American cancer survivors' education facilitator training program, whose participants lead education sessions. Third, we will provide an overview of our statewide Native American cancer education sessions. Finally, we will describe a unique outgrowth of this project, Strength and Courage: Native American Cancer Survivor Stories, the first Native cancer survivor archive in the Northeast – a mechanism designed to share experiences between generations. Formative research facilitates the inclusion of multiple voices and increases cultural competence. Community cancer survivors, advocates, elders, and tribal liaisons contribute to and ensure local management of the project. This model program may be adapted to embrace the needs of Native Americans throughout the Northeast and the nation.