Fighting Cancer Inequality in North Carolina's Native Communities

The battle against cancer is tough for everyone, but it's even tougher for American Indians in North Carolina. They face higher risks, lower screening rates, and poorer care compared to other groups. This is where the Southeastern American Indian Cancer Health Equity Partnership, or SAICEP, steps in. It's a team dedicated to understanding and tackling these issues head-on. SAICEP kicked off in 2021, teaming up with cancer centers across North Carolina. These centers cover areas where eight recognized tribes live, making up the largest American Indian populations in the eastern United States. SAICEP has three main goals. First, they want to spread the word about cancer health needs in these communities. Second, they aim to boost access to cancer education and build up the community's ability to fight cancer. Lastly, they want to work together on research to better understand and address the cancer burden on American Indians. To achieve their first goal, SAICEP launched a virtual speakers' series. They've hosted ten webinars so far, with over 500 participants tuning in. These sessions feature top American Indian cancer researchers and clinicians, sharing their knowledge and insights. For their second goal, SAICEP hits the ground running, participating in tribal events throughout the year. They've reached over 3, 500 American Indians, handing out printed educational materials and giveaways. As for their third goal, SAICEP has secured funding to study cancer rates, mortality, and care quality among North Carolina's American Indians. They're also working on culturally adapting and sharing information on cancer screening and risk reduction. So, how's SAICEP doing so far? Pretty well, actually. They've made significant strides towards their goals. But they're not stopping there. Future plans include setting up a community advisory board and teaming up with tribes in other states. It's a big task, but SAICEP is up for the challenge. They're not just fighting cancer; they're fighting for equality in cancer care. It's a tough battle, but every step counts. And SAICEP is making sure those steps are in the right direction.