The cancer rates in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people are much higher compared to non-Hispanic White people in the US.
Read below to learn more about Native Health and why taking ownership of your own health is so important.
Cancer is the #1 cause of death for Native women and the #2 cause of death for men (after heart disease).
Cancer death rates for American Indian and Alaska Natives have increased over the past 20 years, while they have decreased for whites.
Stomach, liver, cervix, kidney, and gallbladder.
Indian Health Services has defined 6 distinct regions across America. AI/AN in Alaska, the East, and the Southwest have lower cancer rates compared to AI/AN in the Southern Plains, Pacific Coast, and Northern Plains.
Each region has their own most common cancer. Find out more here: https://www.roswellpark.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/americanindiancancerburden.pdf
In 2018, female breast cancer was the #1 most newly-diagnosed cancer the AI/AN population. It was also the #2 most common cause of cancer death (behind lung cancer).
More people are surviving cancer now than ever, but there is still work to be done. 80% of Natives with breast cancer survive, while 87% of non-Natives survive.
According to the CDC, one main way to prevent cancer is to get SCREENED EARLY. AI/AN people need more access to cancer screening tests.
Other ways include ensuring preventative health services are available to help people stop smoking and to help people maintain healthy body weight.
Below is a list of resources with more Native health facts as well as other tools like an Indigenous Cookbook!
1. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/research/articles/cancer-AIAN-US.htm
2. https://americanindiancancer.org/
4. Melkonian SC, Weir HK, Jim MA, Preikschat B, Haverkamp D, White MC. Incidence and trends of the leading cancers with elevated incidence among American Indian and Alaska Native populations, 2012–2016.
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