Playing in the Waves: Developing comprehensive cancer control plans with tribal communities

The few American Indian and Alaska Native tribal cancer control plans that exist come in a variety of shapes and sizes, reflecting the concerns, needs, and resources of local state, tribal, academic, and federal agencies. Analysis of the unique tribal comprehensive cancer control plans posted on the Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T. web site provides a foundation for the establishment of a cancer control plan for tribes and tribal entities. Moreover, these current plans can serve as a framework to develop a template for possibly streamlining future processes that additional tribes might undertake. For example, the seven established Native cancer control plans might illuminate expedient, culturally sensitive and competent, and cost-effective approaches to collect baseline data on early detection practices or on palliative care resources. Each plan may offer distinct ideas for their populace; some similar information may be revealed in multiple plans.

Employing ethnographic, health education, and health policy methodologies, our team will critically review ways to develop, implement, and sustain comprehensive cancer control plans with tribal health programs. The presentation will be based on work we have conducted assisting tribes and their partners to create comprehensive cancer plans as well as upon the efforts of previously established tribal cancer control programs. Our presentation will tease out core elements to understand what tribal planners and cancer advocates need to know and do to develop and implement a cancer control plan? We will also examine potential evaluation plans.