title: A review of effective strategies for native women's breast health outreach and education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This commentary provides a summary of a pilot study designed to assist the American Cancer Society in revising the Circle of Life breast health program for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Included are analyses of a literature review focusing on breast health outreach strategies among AIANs and in-depth interviews with breast health focus group facilitators. Over 70 AIAN breast or cervix cancer screening articles were reviewed, and approximately 20 focus group facilitators were interviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A primary finding was that AIAN breast cancer outreach, education, and screening programs are most effective when community-driven and culturally relevant to local tribal nations and geographic regions.
authors.affiliation: Native American Cancer Initiatives, Inc., Pine, CO 80470-7830, USA. lindab@natamcancer.org
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burhansstipanov
authors.forename: Linda U
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Krebs
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grass
authors.forename: Ena J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Wanliss
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Saslow
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000193:education*; D004930:Inuit / Q000193:education*; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*