Utilizing Technology and Storytelling to Help Change the Pattern of Cancer among American Indians and Alaska Natives

Cancer is the second most common cause of death among American Indians and the leading cause of death among Alaska Natives. Cancer screening tests, high quality healthcare, and cancer clinical trials are often not available to tribal communities. As a result, American Indians and Alaska Natives have the poorest survival from cancer of all minority groups. Native People for Cancer Control, a Community Networks Program funded by the National Cancer Institute, based at the University of Washington, aims to reduce cancer disparities through community awareness, education, training, and advocacy. Our activities span an eight-state region that includes Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. We partner broadly with tribal agencies, organizations, health clinics, urban Indian healthcare facilities, and schools, as well as with cancer treatment facilities and cancer information service programs. We also work closely with tribal community members, leaders, researchers, clinicians, educators, and outreach workers in this eight-state region.

Our goals are to: • increase cancer education activities among urban and rural Native people. • form partnerships with Tribal Colleges and Universities for cancer education research. • enhance cancer training opportunities for Native researchers. • conduct community-based research on access to cancer care and prevention. • reduce cancer-related health disparities by increasing access to and use of interventions in Native communities.

During this session, we will describe in detail a few of our innovative programs that integrate current technology with native storytelling: Native Comic Book Project, Native Art for Cancer, and Center for Native Digital Storytelling.