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Background: Cancer is becoming a significant health problem for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Despite the precipitous increase in cancer rates in these populations, limited data are available regarding the extent of cancer control services available in these communities., Methods: A cross-sectional survey of tribal health directors of all federally recognized tribes was undertaken to discover the breadth of cancer control activities offered and directors' perceptions of and priorities ascribed to cancer., Results: Little more than half (53%) of respondents perceived cancer rates to be increasing. Cancer was found to rank fifth among seven health conditions when directors were asked to rank their tribe's commitment to confronting each. Lower relative levels of awareness of cancer patterns coupled with competing health problems relegated cancer control activities to low-priority issues., Conclusions: Findings from this study underscore the need to elevate the issue of cancer in Indian Country and to educate investigators to become more sensitive and responsive to other tribal health issues.

Background: The results of preconference and postconference surveys, as well as conference evaluation forms, distributed to attendees at the "Native American Cancer Conference III: Risk Factors, Outreach and Intervention Strategies," Seattle, Washington, June 16-19, 1995, are presented., Methods: Conference attendees were requested to complete a multi-item survey designed to assess knowledge and perceptions relating to cancer among native peoples at the beginning and end of the conference. The evaluation instrument solicited qualitative impressions of the conference., Results: Survey respondents were predominantly female (70%), and approximately half were native persons representing 48 different American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Knowledge levels were generally high at baseline for most items relating to cancer, with evidence of significant improvement for several items on the postconference survey. The majority of respondents believed that cancer was of equal importance compared with other health problems and that cancer services for American Indians and Alaska Natives are generally less extensive compared with the majority population; there was no evidence of opinion change noted in the postconference survey. Results from the qualitative evaluation expressed the unique and affirmative experiences among participants in terms of the social, cultural, and informational sharing that occurred., Conclusions: It is hoped that the positive experiences of conference attendees will serve to stimulate the organization of similar programs and the design of research projects that both assess and expand cancer control services among Native peoples.

Background: Based on the lack of published information regarding Native Americans and cancer and the success of previous meetings, the Network for Cancer Control Research among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations (NCCR-AIANP) and the Native Hawaiian and American Samoan Cancer Research Network determined there was sufficient need to have annual national Native American cancer conferences., Methods: The NCCR-AIANP, the Native Hawaiian and American Samoan Cancer Research Network, and the AMC Native American Cancer Research Program collaborated to organize the third national Native American cancer conference, "Native American Cancer Conference III: Risk Factors, Outreach and Intervention Strategies.", Results: The conference was held in Seattle, Washington, June 16-19, 1995. It provided a forum for scientific discussion and dissemination of information related to cancer prevention and control., Conclusions: Conference participants benefited from the topics presented and the diversity of the audience members. There continues to be a need to share what is happening in cancer research with this unique population and to address new issues of concern. A cancer conference seems to be a useful mechanism to provide such an opportunity.