WEAVING Project: Breast and cervical cancer screening for urban American Indian and Alaska Native women

Background: Despite successful early detection strategies for breast and cervical cancer, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women face disparities in rates of self-reported breast and cervical cancer screening, late stage diagnosis and five year survival rates when compared to White women. With more than half of the AI/AN population living in urban areas today, it is critical that screening efforts are expanded to reach this often overlooked population. Methods: In 2007, the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) began the WEAVING Project under cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Through the WEAVING Project, the UIHI provides technical assistance to urban Indian health organizations (UIHO) and state Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs (BCCEDP) with the aim to: 1) increase breast and cervical cancer screening among urban AI/AN women, 2) improve access to quality diagnosis and treatment services; 3) establish and strengthen culturally respectful partnerships among UIHO state BCCEDP; and 4) provide a framework to support and encourage culturally appropriate collaboration between other state health programs and UIHO. Results: Working with 34 UIHO and 19 BCCEDP, the WEAVING Project uses culturally appropriate, versatile, and accessible strategies to reach a large, diverse audience. Strategies have included website development for outreach and material distribution, national presentations and identification of ‘model sites' for customized technical assistance. Conclusions: The WEAVING Project supports collaborations between UIHO and BCCEDP, represents a successful multi-site project and provides a framework for technical assistance efforts that can be extended to other cancers and health topics.