Prostate cancer incidence among American Indian and Alaska Native men, US, 1999-2004

Cancer-Related Disparities and Opportunities for Intervention in Northern Plains American Indian Communities

“…Previous studies have found that Northern Plains AI/ ANs in an 11-state region had a higher proportion of late-stage diagnosis of breast, colorectal, cervical, and prostate cancer than their NHW counterparts. 4,5,7,8 However, the difference in the proportion of late-stage diagnosis of breast cancer among women aged 65 years in those same populations was much smaller, Employed included employed for wages and self-employed; not employed included those out of work for more than one year, those out of work for less than one year, homemakers, and those unable to work. Based on the Urban Influence Codes, http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/UrbanInfluenceCodes: urban included large (metropolitan area with at least one million residents), small (metropolitan area with fewer than one million residents), micropolitan area adjacent to a large metropolitan area, noncore adjacent to a small metropolitan area, and micropolitan area adjacent to a small metropolitan area.…”

“…2 Northern Plains AI/ANs, when compared with their NHW counterparts in the region and in the U.S., have an elevated risk of developing and/or dying from lung, colorectal, breast, cervical, and prostate cancers. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Liver, kidney, stomach, cervical, and gallbladder cancers that are relatively rare among NHW people are more prevalent among AI/ ANs. [8][9][10] Further, AI/ANs in the Northern Plains and other regions are more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage for breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers than are NHW people.…”

“…[8][9][10] Further, AI/ANs in the Northern Plains and other regions are more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage for breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers than are NHW people. 4,5,7,8,11 About 80% of cancers are attributable to environmental and lifestyle factors. 12,13 Regional variations in cancer risk within the AI/AN population and variations between AI/AN and other population groups may be due in part to differences in behavioral risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, lack of physical activity, and obesity.…”

Findings from the Native Navigators and The Cancer Continuum (NNACC) Study

“…12 Cancer incidence rates vary among AI populations and frequently differ from rates seen in NHWs living in the same geographic region. 3456 Data show that AI cancer incidence rates have increased 789 and that the burden of cancer continues to escalate in this population. 10 Cancer incidence and mortality are consistently higher in AIs from the Northern and Southern Plains (within the 48 contiguous states), with higher rates for breast, lung, colorectal and cervix cancers than NHWs living in the same region.…”

“…10 Cancer incidence and mortality are consistently higher in AIs from the Northern and Southern Plains (within the 48 contiguous states), with higher rates for breast, lung, colorectal and cervix cancers than NHWs living in the same region. 11 In most cases, increased mortality is due to diagnostic delays, resulting in advanced stage of disease at diagnosis and an increased risk of dying from cancer. 12 Patient Navigation programs can help to address such disparities.…”