American Indian Culture and Research Journal

Although Native populations suffer a disproportionate cancer burden, studies of risk reduction for cancer incidence among Native peoples have not been strongly supported by federal or private funding sources, and few published data are available to assess the success of cancer control efforts among Native community members. Furthermore, cancer etiologic investigations and cancer control studies in Native populations have not commonly included Native researchers in principal roles. This lack of involvement is related primarily to the low numbers of Native researchers who have adequate training and experience to address Native cancer problems. Although numerous social and biological scientists who have Native status are engaged in productive research careers, the encouragement that has been offered Native students to formulate career goals devoted to cancer etiology or cancer control in Native peoples has had limited success. To address cancer-related challenges adequately and to implement successful cancer control programs in Native communities, more well-trained, culturally competent researchers are required. The Native Researchers’ Cancer Control Training Program (NRCCTP) was designed to address this need. The present essay provides a description of our training program and a summary of the NRCCTP from 1995 to the present.