Minority Women's Health

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Other Cancers

Minority Women's Health > American Indians/Alaska Natives > Health Topics > Other Cancers

Cancer happens when some body cells don't work right, divide over and over, and make too much tissue that becomes a tumor. Cancerous tumors then invade healthy cells.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death for American Indian/Alaska Native women. The major cancer risk factors for American Indian/Alaska Native women include smoking and alcohol use, poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and getting screening tests for cervical and breast cancer too late or not at all.

We do not know how to prevent cancer. But there are some things you can do to reduce your risk:

• Don't smoke. If you smoke, try to quit. For help along the way, check out our Quitting Smoking section.
• Keep a healthy weight.
• Eat right. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Get moving. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day, most days of the week. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Or, walk during breaks at work.
• If you drink alcohol, have no more than one drink per day.

Publications

1.   American Indian Health — This web site is an information portal for and about the health of native peoples of the United States. The topics include cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and environmental health.

   http://americanindianhealth.nlm.nih.gov/

2.   Cancer Surveillance Research: Overview of Native American Initiatives — NCI supports several projects among Native American populations to improve cancer epidemiology, screening, prevention, and treatments. It provides a forum to exchange information on cancer control research.

   http://surveillance.cancer.gov/disparities/native/

3.   Gallbladder Cancer (PDQ®): Treatment — Patients — This fact sheet describes gallbladder cancer, and its different stages. It provides an overview of treatment options, and lists additional sources of information for patients.

   http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/gallbladder/patient/

4.   Gynecologic Cancer Awareness — This site is designed to raise awareness about the five major gynecologic cancers (cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and educational materials for women and health care providers.

   http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/gynecologic.htm

5.   What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum — This booklet provides information on the symptoms, detection, diagnosis, possible causes, and treatment of cancer of the colon and rectum. This booklet also provides information to help people understand their personal risk of colon and rectal cancer, the importance of screening, and what to expect if cancer is found.

   http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/colon-and-rectum

6.   What You Need To Know About Lung Cancer — The diagnosis of lung cancer brings with it many questions and a need for clear answers. This booklet provides an overview of lung cancer, including its causes and risk factors. It describes the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease, and includes lists of questions to ask your doctor from diagnosis through treatment.

   http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/lung

7. The American Indian/Alaska Native Cancer Information Resource Center and Learning Exchange (Copyright @ MFMER) — The American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Cancer Information Resource Center and Learning Exchange (Native CIRCLE) exists to stimulate, develop, maintain, and disseminate culturally appropriate cancer information materials for American Indian/Alaska Native educators, health care leaders, and students.

   http://www.nativeamericanprograms.org/index-circle.html

8. Native American Cancer Education for Survivors (NACES) Quality of Life Tree (Copyright © NACR) — This rich resource is designed to help Native Americans with cancer learn about treatment, clinical trials, side effects, and more. The section on spirituality has helpful information about traditional healing, spiritual beliefs, and natural and alternative healing.

   http://natamcancer.org/naces.html

9.   Native American Cancer Risk Reduction: A Guide to Help You Assess and Reduce Your Cancer Risks (Copyright © Huntsman Cancer Institute) — This brochure for Native Americans list the risk factors associated with common types of cancer and tips to help you reduce your risk.

   http://www.huntsmancancer.org/pdf/brochures/nativeAmericanRisk.pdf

10. Native American Healing (Copyright © ACS) — This publication discusses the use, effectiveness, and safety of traditional healing methods used by Native American Healers.

    http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Native_American_Healing.asp?sitearea=ETO...

11.   Native American Warning Signs and Screening Information Brochure (Copyright © Huntsman Cancer Institute) — This brochure for Native Americans lists the warning signs of cancer and screening guidelines for men and women.

    http://www.huntsmancancer.org/pdf/nao/SignsScreening%20.pdf

12. Native Americans/Alaska Natives and Lung Disease Fact Sheet (Copyright @ ALA) — This publication provides statistical information on smoking and lung disease among people identified as Native Americans/American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Inuit.

    http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2058817&content_id=%7b2ED27F15-F5A1-...

13.   Voices of Strength: Living After Cancer Treatment (Copyright © Lance Armstrong Foundation) — This is a brochure written specifically for American Indian/Alaska Native cancer survivors. It raises awareness of the physical, practical and emotional concerns of cancer survivors, lists resources and encourages survivors to seek support.

    http://www.livestrong.org/atf/cf/%7BFB6FFD43-0E4C-4414-8B37-0D001EFBDC49%7D/brochure_aian.pdf...

Organizations

1.   Cancer.gov
2.   Indian Health Service Clinical Support Center, OHR, IHS, OPHS, HHS
3.   Indian Health Services
4. American Cancer Society
5. Huntsman Cancer Institute: Native American Outreach
6. National Indian Women's Health Resource Center (NIWHRC)
7. Native American Cancer Research

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of December 2007