A Community-Specific Approach to Cancer Research in Indian Country

Background: Health care leaders in a small, rural, American Indian community and university partners used the community-based participatory research (CBPR) method to survey cancer survivors.

Objectives: We sought to provide support for the use of CBPR to generate ideas for how to improve the detection and treatment of cancer in American Indian communities.

Methods: Partners worked together to develop a mail-out survey and send it to the Indian health clinic’s patients who had cancer in the past 5 years. The survey sought information on their experiences with cancer screenings, cancer diagnoses, and accessing and receiving cancer treatment.

Results: Community leaders identified three priority areas for intervention: (1) high incidence of breast cancer; (2) lack of culturally appropriate cancer education; and (3) need for a more in-depth assessment.

Conclusions: CBPR’s partnership principle allowed for results to be viewed within the community’s context, availability of community resources, and relevant cultural beliefs and traditions.