262793 Alaska Native Cancer Journey: A collaboration dedicated to surviving and thriving with cancer

Monday, October 29, 2012

Ellen Lopez, MPH, PhD , Center for Alaska Native Health Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
Freda Williams , Community Services Department, Fairbanks Native Association, Fairbanks, AK
Dinghy Sharma, MA , UAF Psychology Department, CLA, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
Alaina Ctibor , Center for Alaska Native Health Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
Christopher DeCou, BA , Center for Alaska Native Health Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
Valerie Hewell , UAF Psychology Department, CLA, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
Cancer is the number one cause of death among Alaska Native people. With early detection screening and advanced treatment options, the number of cancer survivors is rising. Yet, little is known about how Alaska Native people experience cancer and the support they require to thrive as they survive. The ‘Alaska Native Cancer Journey' is a community-based participatory research (CBPR) initiative of the Fairbanks Native Association (a non-profit organization that provides services and research oversight to over 6000 Alaska Native residents) and the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Center for Alaska Native Health Research (a NIH-funded center focused on reducing health disparities experienced by Alaska Native communities). Our presentation will discuss the activities our partnership has implemented in the quest to develop a community-informed and culturally responsive cancer support program, while also demonstrating the respectful nature of research that is conducted using a CBPR approach. Such activities include establishing a community-wide advisory group; hosting Community Cancer Gatherings to initiate open conversations about cancer and cancer research; conducting in-depth interviews with Alaska Native cancer survivors to provide them the opportunity to convey the stories of their cancer journeys; and offering Interactive Findings Circles during which we shared, discussed, and interpreted the implications of the interview findings with participants and advisory group members. What has emerged is a growing network of survivors and other community advocates who are inspired to guide, participate in, and lead our efforts to conduct CBPR and other activities that will improve quality of life for Alaska Native cancer survivors.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Explain the process and importance of forging a community-academic collaborative to address issues related to Alaska Native cancer survivorship quality of life Demonstrate several research and community-based activities that have helped to create an open forum for discussing cancer, cancer survivorship, and cancer research pertaining to Alaska Native people and communities.

Keywords: Alaska Natives, Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal or co-principal of multiple funded grants focusing on survivorship. I have been working with survivorship issues for over 10 years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.