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Breast & Cervical Cancer Facts

Cancer is the second leading cause of death for urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). With more than half of the AI/AN population living in urban areas today, it is critical that breast and cervical cancer screening efforts are expanded to reach this often overlooked population.

Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Women

According to the 2000 US Census, more than half of the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population in the United States lives in urban areas. Approximately one million AI/AN live in urban Indian health organization (UIHO) service areas. Of this group, 573,225 identify as AI/AN as their only race, of whom1:

• 195,890 (34%) are women ages 18 and older
• 47,654 (8%) are women ages 50-64
• 23% of women ages 18 and older are living in poverty1

Breast and Cervical Cancer Incidence and Mortality

• New cases of breast cancer among AI/AN nationwide = 63.7/100,000 annually (2002-2004)3
• New cases of cervical cancer among AI/AN nationwide = 6.3/100,000 annually (2002-2004)3
• Breast cancer mortality among urban AI/AN = 10.87/100,000 annually (1995-2004)4
• Cervical cancer mortality among urban AI/AN = 1.86/100,000 annually (1995-2004)4

(Figure 1) Among women residing in UIHO service areas:

Nearly three times as many AI/AN women reported never having a pap smear test than did white women.5
Twice as many AI/AN women reported never having a physical breast exam by a doctor than did white women.5

(Figure 2) National data indicate:

American Indian women have a higher risk of late stage (Stage III and Stage IV) breast cancer diagnosis than non-Hispanic white women.6

(Figure 3) National data indicate:

Fewer AI/AN women survived five years from the time of their breast or cervical cancer diagnosis than did white women.7, 8, 9

Breast and Cervical Cancer Fact Sheet References (PDF) - also available on the Materials page.