Online Program

289033
Cancer diagnosis experience: Voices of Southwest American indians


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Felicia Schanche Hodge, DrPH, School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Tracy Line Itty, MPH, Center for American Indian/Indigenous Research & Education, University of California, Los Angeles, Angeles, CA
Fernando Martinez, School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
A cancer diagnosis can greatly change the lives of patients and their families. This paper reports on the experiences of American Indians as they received their cancer diagnosis. A study testing a cancer symptom management intervention among Southwest American Indians recruited 171 cancer survivors and caregivers into a series of Talking Circle focus groups at 5 intervention sites. Sessions were audio-recorded and analyzed using Grounded Theory-based methods. Findings report on common themes that emerged as cancer survivors and their family members/caregivers recount experiences of learning about the cancer diagnosis. Themes that emerged were: 1) confusion about the diagnosis; 2) lack of effective communication with providers at diagnosis; 3) patients relied on family support to cope with and communicate with others about the diagnosis; and 4) fear of negative outcomes and uncertainty about the future. Southwest American Indians receiving a cancer diagnosis found it was an overwhelming experience that was complicated by uncertainty and low-levels of knowledge about the disease. Adequate patient-provider communication during the diagnosis coupled with family support is important in order to cope with the cancer diagnosis. The provision of adequate information for informed decision-making helps to diminish the fears and misconceptions that can make a cancer diagnosis a foreboding ordeal for individuals.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Identify four themes about the impact of a cancer diagnosis on American Indians. Discuss recommendations for healthcare providers, caregivers and others supporting American Indian cancer patients that can help ease the burden of receiving a cancer diagnosis.

Keyword(s): American Indians, Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the PI of multiple federally funded grants focusing on American Indian health care needs, several of which focus on cancer experience, prevention, symptom management, control and cultural constructs.
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.