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A Comparison of Quality of Life Between Native and Non-Native Cancer Survivors

Native and Non-Native Cancer Survivors’ QOL

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Abstract

This paper compares quality of life (QOL) outcomes between Native American and non-Native cancer survivors. Native Patient Navigators helped Native cancer patients complete a 114-item QOL survey and access survivorship information available on the NACES website. The survey was modified from Ferrell et. al’s QOL measure and assessed the four domains of cancer survivorship: physical, psychological, social, and spiritual [1]. Findings from Native survivors were compared to Ferrell’s findings. This is the first time that QOL outcomes have been compared between Native and Non-Native cancer survivors. Natives scored lower for physical and social QOL, the same for psychological QOL, and higher for spiritual QOL in comparison to non-Natives. Overall QOL scores were the same. Although this is the largest sample of Native cancer survivors reported in peer-reviewed manuscripts, these Native survivorship data are based on a self-selected group and it is unknown if the findings are generalizable to others.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by National Cancer Institute [P.I. Burhansstipanov; NCI R25 CA 101938], Susan G. Komen for the Cure® [P.I. Burhansstipanov POP0202135 and POP0503920], and Mayo Clinic’s Spirit of Eagles Community Network Programs 1 and 2 [P.I. Kaur; NCI U01 CA 114609 and U54CA153605]. This study was made possible through the assistance of Native Patient Navigators: Loretta Denny, Becky Dreadfulwater, Lisa D. Harjo, Audrey Marshall, Denise Lindstrom, Rose Lee, Winona Johnson, Arlene Wahwasuck, Rosanne Wyman and Brenda Yazzie; National Indian Women’s Health Resource Center, and the Privacy Broker, Ms. Alice A. Bradley, MA.

This article is to honor the many contributions of our colleagues and friends who have walked on: Mary P. Lovato (Santo Domingo Pueblo, passed 02/2008; Mr. Eduard Gamito, who passed 01/2008, and Ms. Rosanne Wyman (Mohawk Nation) who passed 02/2009).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they do not have a conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Native American Cancer Research Corporation, 3022 South Nova Road, Pine, CO, 80470-7830, USA

    Linda Burhansstipanov

  2. Prevention Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Markey Cancer Center, Room CC444, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY, 40536-0093, USA

    Mark Dignan

  3. Southeastern Program Evaluation, 4623 Hallandale Drive, Batavia, OH, 45103, USA

    Katherine L. Jones

  4. University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing, Box C288-18, ED2N Room 4209, 13120 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Linda U. Krebs

  5. Native American Cancer Research Corporation (NACR), 3110 S. Wadsworth, #103, Lakewood, CO, 80227, USA

    Paula Marchionda

  6. Native American Programs, Spirit of EAGLES, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Judith Salmon Kaur

Authors
  1. Linda Burhansstipanov
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  2. Mark Dignan
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  3. Katherine L. Jones
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  4. Linda U. Krebs
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  5. Paula Marchionda
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  6. Judith Salmon Kaur
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Correspondence to Linda Burhansstipanov.

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Burhansstipanov, L., Dignan, M., Jones, K.L. et al. A Comparison of Quality of Life Between Native and Non-Native Cancer Survivors. J Canc Educ 27 (Suppl 1), 106–113 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-012-0318-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-012-0318-3

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