title: From survivorship to thrivership: native peoples weaving a healthy life from cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Native American Cancer Research, Pine, CO 80470-7830, USA.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burhansstipanov
authors.forename: Linda U
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Krebs
authors.forename: Terrie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Restivo
mesh_terms: 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