From survivorship to thrivership: native peoples weaving a healthy life from cancer.
BACKGROUND
In this commentary, we describe culturally specific cancer support and education programs that have been successfully adapted for use with both urban and reservation-based California Indian communities.


METHODS
The Native American Cancer Survivor Support Circles were initiated in Los Angeles County in 2000 and were tailored for specific use with reservation-based communities in 2002. Support circles include culturally respectful ground rules, prayers, and culturally specific education topics (spirituality, coping with chemotherapy) and psychosocial support as well.


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation showed that both Native men and women had greater confidence in their abilities to cope with their healing and recovery from cancer following participation.
Weiner
Diane
D
Native American Cancer Research, Pine, CO 80470-7830, USA.
Burhansstipanov
Linda
L
Krebs
Linda U
LU
Restivo
Terrie
T
D002140:California; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012424:Rural Population; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors; D014505:Urban Population