title: Using theater to promote cancer education in Alaska.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer, a rare disease in the 1950s, is now the leading cause of death among Alaska Natives (AN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Building on AN rich traditions of storytelling to share knowledge and wisdom, a 45 minute play, Understanding, was developed to address cancer-related issues specific to AN.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Written audience evaluations assessed the impact of this theater-based education. After seeing the play, 327 (94.5%) people reported feeling more comfortable talking about cancer, 265 (66.1%) shared that they had learned about cancer, and 234 (61.7%) wrote healthy ways they intended to change their behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A postplay discussion provided an opportunity for the audience to share their stories, concerns, beliefs, and feelings.
authors.affiliation: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA. mcueva@anmc.org
authors.forename: Melany
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cueva
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuhnley
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanier
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dignan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska; D001154:Art; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000193:education*; D004930:Inuit / Q000193:education*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms