Cancer Screening in Tribal Communities

Cancer is a serious concern in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. Although cancer rates vary by region, cervical, breast, and colorectal cancers are among the five most common in AI/AN women, and colorectal is among the top five for AI/AN men. Cancer deaths are decreasing in white populations, while cancer deaths are rising in AI/AN communities. Additionally, whites typically live longer than AI/ANs after being diagnosed with cancer.

Health Systems Improvement Toolkit: A Guide to Cancer Screenings in Indian Country

The National Indian Health Board aims to build the capacity of Tribal clinics and programs to increase breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening rates through the use of evidence-based interventions (EBIs).

Through support and partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, NIHB has designed a tool for Tribal health systems interested in increasing high-quality, population-based breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings titled, Health Systems Improvement Toolkit: A Guide to Cancer Screenings in Indian Country. Health Systems Improvement Toolkit

This toolkit has been developed with the support of and for Tribal health systems to share best practices around implementing the EBIs and strategies found in The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide). Not only does it contain in-depth guidance on implementing cancer screening-related EBIs, it also contains key tools and resources that Tribal clinics and programs can tailor individually for their patient populations.

A Guide to Cancer Screenings in Indian Country-Online Hub

Click here to access NIHB's online cancer screening hub, including an interactive version of the toolkit; the American Indian Cancer Foundation's colorectal cancer screening toolkit, developed in partnership with NIHB; and additional resources to improve cancer screening rates in your Tribal community.