Native American cultural aspects of oncology nursing care

To explain challenges Native American cancer patients experience throughout the continuum of cancer care.

Preliminary findings from the Native American Cancer Survivors Support Network, summaries from focus groups with Native American cancer survivors, and literature review.

Cultural and family issues are diverse and affect cancer care situation in many different ways.

The oncology nurse needs to understand and respect the diversity among Native American cancer patients and to help the patient and provider find ways to allow for the inclusion of family members, spirituality, and traditional Indian medicine within the Western medical treatment model.