Work

Walking forward: a program designed to lower cancer mortality rates among American Indians in western South Dakota.

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: Walking Forward is a community-based participatory research program in western South Dakota funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The primary goal of this initiative is to address the high and ominously increasing cancer mortality rates among American Indians by facilitating access to innovative clinical trials, behavioral and genetic research and tailored patient navigation. The critical outcomes include: an unprecedented accrual rate of 25 percent in clinical trials, including cancer treatment and cancer control trials; a significant reduction in the number of missed treatment days among navigated American Indian cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy; and most importantly, establishment of trusting partnerships with the American Indian communities as reflected in enrollment in a genetic study involving the ataxia telangiectasia mutated gene. The results indicate that the Walking Forward approach presents an effective strategy to overcome the barriers to cancer care in this underserved community.

Source: PubMed

Authors: Shalini Kanekar, Daniel Petereit

Institution: Rapid City Regional Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute

Awards: DCTD Computer Support, Enhancing Native American Participation in RT Trials