Michielutte, Robert; Penny C. Sharp, Mark B. Dignan, and Karen Blinson. “Cultural issues in the development of cancer control programs for American Indian populations.” Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 5.4 (1994): 280 (17 pages).
Describes a project funded by the National Cancer Institute to develop a culturally sensitive community education program regarding cancer screening through Pap smears for Cherokee and Lumbee women. The project staff reviewed the literature on culturally sensitive programs, gained approval from the Cherokee and Lumbee tribal councils, held interviews with community leaders and medical professionals, and used focus groups composed of women in the target population as an element of their planning process. Preliminary data on the program's effectiveness showed that 91% of Lumbee women and 96% of Cherokee women had a positive impression of the program. Table 2 lists the cultural considerations the project staff incorporated into developing and implementing the project.