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National Women's Health Network Fact Sheet Breast Cancer and Native American Women Incidence The breast cancer incidence for Native American women varies depending on region. Incidence rates are lower among American Indian women living in Arizona and New Mexico, as well as Alaska Native women, than among White and African American women. In any one year, 32 out of every 100,000 American Indian women and 79 out of every 100,000 Alaska Native women are diagnosed with breast cancer. In comparison, 112 out of every 100,000 White women, 95 out of every 100,000 African American women, and 70 out of every 100,000 Latina women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Native Hawaiian women have a breast cancer incidence comparable to White women at 106 per 100,000 women and higher than other Native American women, African American women, and Latinas. American Indian women living in the northern states have higher rates in comparison to other Native American women. Mortality The breast cancer mortality rate for most Native American women is lower than for White and African American women and Latinas. In any one year, 9 out of every 100,000 American Indian women and 13 out of every 100,000 Alaska Native women die of breast cancer. In comparison, 27 out of every 100,000 White women, 31 out of every 100,000 African American women, and 15 out of every 100,000 Latinas die of breast cancer. Similar to incidence rates, regional variability exists in mortality rates for Native American women. The mortality rate for Native Hawaiian women, at 38 per 100,000 women, is higher than for other Native American women, White and African American women, and Latinas. The Billings IHS Area mortality rate is comparable to White women at 25 per 100,000 women. Many Native Americans believe the incidence and deaths caused by certain diseases are underestimated due to the misclassification of ethnicity in health statistics. In a study of Native Americans in selected states, the breast cancer mortality rates for most of the areas showed a clear increase in the late 70s and after. The overall U.S. rate during this time was comparatively unchanged. Survival The five-year breast cancer survival rate for American Indian women is lower than all other ethnic and racial groups living in the United States. For Native Hawaiian women, the survival rate is higher than for American Indian and African American women, but lower than for White women. The five-year survival is 49% for American Indians, 69% for Native Hawaiian women, 84% for White women, 69% for African American women, and 70% for Latinas. Insurance and Access to Services Although Native Americans are eligible for free comprehensive health care through the Indian Health Service (IHS), only half choose or are able to use it. Some Native Americans do not use the IHS because they have other medical insurance. However, many Native Americans find that no IHS facility is accessible to them. For example, no IHS facilities exist in California, which is the state with the second largest population of Native Americans, and IHS usually does not cover the cost of care provided outside its system. The establishment and maintenance of breast cancer/mammography outreach efforts and clinical services for Native American women is important. These statistics provided by Women's Health Network Native American Women's Health Education Resource Center P.O. Box 572 Lake Andes, SD 57356-0572 (605) 487-7072 Reservation-based, it provides comprehensive women's health services and education, and technical assistance to other groups. Please be proactive in your breast health. Be sure to get annual mammograms, do monthly breast self-exams and take advantage of the technology of breast thermography. For more information on Early Detection please see our Breast Self-Exam and Breast Thermography pages. ` |
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