Patterns of Care among Native Americans
Relatively limited information is available, and even less appears in a published form, that provides a profile of contemporary cancer care among Native American populations. There have been dramatic changes in the health care delivery system for Native American tribes. This is coupled with significant cultural aspects of cancer as a health concern among Native populations.
NCI is funding pilot studies for patterns of care similar to projects currently supported under the special studies mechanism of the SEER Program. Data have been combined from several sources, including SEER and IHS, augmented by abstracted data from medical records in a sample of cancer patients.