Addressing Colorectal Cancer Among Alaska Native Peoples: A Community and Subject Matter Expert Symposium.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cancer Research
• Indigenous Health

Background:

• Alaska Native peoples face the world's highest colorectal cancer (CRC) rates.
• Tribal health organizations are actively working to improve CRC prevention and control.
• There is a critical need to raise awareness of CRC's impact within these communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the epidemiology, clinical practices, and risk factors of CRC among Alaska Native peoples.
• To share ongoing CRC prevention research initiatives within Alaska.
• To explore future strategies for reducing CRC incidence and burden in Alaska Native communities.

Main Methods:

• Convening the first Alaska Native CRC Research Symposium in Anchorage, Alaska.
• Bringing together diverse stakeholders including Tribal healthcare leaders, community members, clinicians, scientists, and public health professionals.
• Organizing scientific sessions around key themes such as CRC trends, risk factors, prevention activities, research initiatives, and knowledge gaps.

Main Results:

• The symposium successfully gathered key stakeholders, with a significant representation of Alaska Native/American Indian people and individuals from rural/remote areas.
• Discussions covered CRC trends, risk factors, prevention efforts, research, and identified critical knowledge gaps.
• The event highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing CRC.

Conclusions:

• Reducing the burden of CRC in Alaska Native populations requires sustained, high-quality research conducted in partnership with communities.
• Dedicated resources for research, prevention, and screening are essential.
• A multisectoral commitment is necessary to address the inequities in CRC experienced by Alaska Native peoples.