The Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Culturally Tailored Cancer Prevention Presentations in an Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Community

Abstract

Urban American Indian and Alaska Natives individuals, communities, and populations have unique cancer health outcomes, as the incidence of certain detectable cancers is higher for this group. The project aimed to educate and promote cancer screening among the urban American Indian and Alaska Native community in Tucson, AZ, by creating culturally tailored cancer prevention presentations. Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify cultural characteristics that were included in the creation of the presentations. Presentations were modeled after the Circle of Life curriculum. Literature review findings and expert input were used in the development of the presentations. An evaluation survey was administered to measure presentation effectiveness on participant’s knowledge and agreeability to engage in cancer prevention behaviors (n=76) and Talking Circles (n=4) were conducted to understand participants’ (n=35) perceptions and gather feedback for improvement. Results: The literature review identified eight cultural characteristics from previous American Indian and Alaska Native community recommendations for cancer programming (e.g., Native representation, family importance, storytelling, mixed multimedia delivery, Traditional healing and Traditional ways of knowing, and clinical recommendations). The evaluation survey indicated that most of the respondents ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ that the presentations increased knowledge and encouraged participants to engage in cancer prevention behaviors. The Talking Circles revealed that more information on Traditional tobacco and Traditional foods is needed and incorporating an elderly cancer survivor to share their cancer journey would encourage cancer screening; providers should talk more about cancer screening with their patients; and fear and hesitancy and transportation were identified as barriers to cancer prevention care. Conclusion: The findings show that culturally tailored cancer prevention presentations increase knowledge and encourage cancer prevention behaviors. More information on Traditional tobacco and Traditional foods should be added to the presentation for improvement. Addressing the feelings of fear and hesitancy among urban American Indian and Alaska Native individuals will further promote cancer screening practices.