• Cancer is the second leading cause of death for all American Indians and Alaska Natives 45 years of age and over.
• Cancer is the leading cause of death for Alaska Native Women.
• Cancer is the third leading cause of death for all American Indian and Alaska Natives of all ages.
• American Indians and Alaska Natives have the poorest survival from most cancer sites in comparison with other racial and ethnic groups in the US (e.g. African American, White, Hispanic, Asian American and Pacific Islander).
• Gall bladder cancer is more commonly diagnosed among American Indians from the southwestern region of the US than another minority group.
• Alaska Native women have the highest incidence of mortality from colorectal cancer of any other racial and ethnic group in the US.
• American Indians have the poorest survival from lung cancer of another other US racial or ethnic group.
• American Indians have very high rates of exposure to cancer risk factors, particularly cigarette smoking.
• Over 53% of American Indian men and 33% of American Indian women are cigarette smokers.
• In some communities the smoking rate is as high as 73% total (tribal nation in north central states).
• American Indians have a 42 % tobacco usage rate, the highest of all minority groups in the US.
• The death rate among AMerican Indians due to tobacco abuse is twice that of the US population. An average of 2 out of every 5 American Indian smokers die of tobacco abuse.
• Alaska Native mean nd women each have the highest incidence rate of kidney cancer of any other racial group in the US.

Data sources are from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program, American Cancer Society, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the National Cancer Institute Document of the Cancer RESearch Needs of AMerican Indians and Alaska Natives in the US. :Regional Differences within the Indian Health Service 1989-1993; 1997 (IHS Pub. No. 97-615-23) according to the Inter-cultural Cancer Council.

More statistics are needed to effectively evaluate how the American Indian/ Alaska Native population is impacted by cancer. The problems for collecting accurate data on American Indians and Alaska Natives is detailed in the following study:

"Issues in Cancer Data and Surveillance for American Indian and Alaska Native Populations"
Linda Burhansstipanov, DrPH; James W. Hampton, MD; Charles L. Wiggins, PhD
Journal of Registry Management November 1999, Volume 25, Number 4.

To obtain a copy please write:

National Cancer Registrars Association, PO Box 15945-295, Lenexa, KS 66285, phone: 913-438-6272

Cancer Resources

AMC Cancer Research Center 1600 Pier St. Denver, CO 80214 1-800-525-3777 Phone 303-233-1863 Fax American Cancer Society (ACS) 1599 Clifton Road NE Atlanta, GA 30329 1-800-ACS-2345 Phone American Cancer Society Clothing Catalog (Including children's wear) To order a catalog, visit the link above or call 1-800-850-9445 California Rural Indian Health Board 1451 River Park Drive, Suite 220 Sacramento, CA 95815 916-929-9761 Phone 916-929-7246 Fax Cancer Prevention and Control Program Division of Community and Enviromental Health Indian Health Services 5300 Homestead Road NE Albequerque, NM 87110 505-248-4132 Phone 505-248-4393 Fax National Breast Cancer Coalition 1701 L. Street NW, Suite 1060 Washington, D.C. 20036 1-800-422-6237 Phone 202-265-6854 Fax Their two main objectives are to: (1) collect, preserve, grow and distribute the seed of many traditional Native American types of tobacco and (2) educate Native Americans about the health dangers of tobacco misuse.

Native American Cancer Research (NACR)- implements cancer primary prevention, secondary prevention, risk reduction, screening (early detection), education, training, research diagnoses, control, treatment, support, quality of life, and/or studies of cancer among Native Americans. Projects include: National Native American Breast Cancer Survivor's Network Genetic Education for Native Americans Increasing Mammography for Urban American Indian Women Native American Cancer Initiatives (NACI)- provides support to Native organizations to implement cancer primary prevention, secondary prevention, risk reduction, screening (early detection), education, training, research, diagnoses, control, treatment, or study of cancer and cancer care among Native Americans. Projects include: Strategies for Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Screening among American Indian and Alaska Native Women Providing technical assistance and training to the Tribal Programs funded through CDC CBCCEDP NACR & NACI 3022 South Nova Rd. Pine, CO 80470-7830 phone: 303-838-9359 e-mail: natamjudy@aol.com Native C.I.R.C.L.E. The American Indian/ Alaska Native Information Resource Center and Learning Exchange providing cancer-related materials to healthcare professionals and lay peoples involved in the education, care, and treatment of American INdians and Alaska Natives. Distributes brochures, cancer control materials, videos. Norwest Building, Suite 521, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905 Toll Free: 1-877-372-1617 OncoLink: An Internet Cancer Resource Provided by the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive cancer educational resources for education health professionals, patients and families, and disseminate oncology information. Intercultural Cancer Council 1720 Dryden, Suite C Houston, TX 77030 713-798-4617 (phone) e-mail: icc@bcm.tmc.edu

Other Resources:

AAIP Breast Cancer Initiative American Cancer Society A great deal of information about cancers and their treatments. Indian/Native Stats by Judith Salmon Kaur, M.D. The Master Anti-Smoking Software This software is designed to help people QUIT smoking and to helping people, especially young people, to NOT START. National Cancer Institute National Cervical Cancer Coalition Native American Cancer Research Program

Native American Cancer Support Program Spotlight on "A Gathering of Cancer Support" Intercultural Cancer Council Haynes, M. Alfred & Smedley, Brian, "The unequal burden of cancer: Assessment of NIH research programs for ethnic minorities & the media undeserved." Institute of medicine Traditional Native American Tobacco Seed Bank and Education Program University of New Mexico Professor Joseph Winter: jwinter@unm.edu Mr. Lawrence Shorty: lshorty@unm.edu Tel: 505-277-5853

Documents Related To Cancer and Research

(download the following information in .pdf format at the bottom of this page onto your own computer)