American Indian Cancer Facts
American Indians face alarming inequities in cancer incidence and mortality. Cancer incidence rates vary by tribe, region and gender but are often much higher than non-Hispanic Whites.
- Cervical cancer rates up to 69% higher
- Lung cancer rates up to 83% higher
- Colon cancer rates up to 162% higher
- Liver cancer rates up to 198% higher
- Stomach cancer rates up to 490% higher
- Gallbladder cancer rates up to 691% higher
(Cancer, Sept. 2008)
Why are Cancer Rates Higher among American Indians?
The answer is complex and is likely a combination of several of the following factors all working together.
A high burden of cancer risk factors:
- Tobacco abuse (smoking and chewing) and cigarette smoke exposure
- Alcohol abuse
- Diets high in animal fats and low in fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables
- Lack of regular physical activity
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Family genes that increase cancer risk
Individual barriers to prevention and care:
- Low awareness of cancer risks
- Low awareness of screening options
- Distrust of medical systems and research
- Fear of screening tests or results
- Health beliefs that may conflict with prevention practices
Community and system level barriers:
- Underfunded urban and tribal health systems
- Lack of accurate population-specific data
- High rates of poverty
- Poor access to health care due to low rates of health insurance
- Limited availability of prevention programs, cancer screening and specialist care
