September 20,2002

For more information, contact Rebecca Hagerty at the Cancer Information Service 913-588-3739

American Indian Conference
Addresses Cancer Issues During
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The American Indian Heartland Cancer Network will conduct a “Summit on Breast & Cervical Health” at Stidham Union on the campus of the Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, October 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This “Empowering American Indian Women” conference is conducted in support of October National Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, an annual event that encourages all women to have regular breast cancer screenings because early detection is the best protection against breast cancer. The conference is free and open to the public.

Free breakfast and registration begins at 9:00 a.m. followed by a series of programs and discussions by American Indian health care professionals and cancer survivors. Of special interest will be presentations by American Indian cancer survivors from the Prairie Band Potawatomi, Assiniboine Sioux and Kickapoo Nation American Indian tribes. 

Following the complimentary lunch and drawing for door prizes, afternoon activities include a discussion of cervical cancer issues with Dr. Dee Ann DeRoin, M.D., information about prevention, screening and detection of breast and cervical cancers and the opportunity to participate in a workshop to create a Breast Cancer Bead Necklace as a permanent reminder of the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

The Kansas Cancer Institute, Haskell Indian Nations University, Harrah’s Casino, Missouri Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Project (BCCCP), Kansas Free-To-Know, the American Cancer Society, Region VII of the American Indian Council and the Cancer Information Service have contributed to this health care forum for American Indians. Funds are being provided by a grant from the Spirit of Eagles, American Indian/Alaska Native Leadership Initiative on Cancer.

Members of the Planning Committee of this event include Virginia Eaves, Creek Nation of Oklahoma and Chairman of the American Indian Heartland Cancer Network; Rose Miller, Sicangu Nation and Secretary of the AIHC; Stefany Oyler, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin; Arlene Wahwasuck, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Vice-Chairperson of the AIHC; Janelle Murk, Assiniboine Sioux and Treasurer of the AIHC; Dr. Ximena Ilbaca-Somoza, Kansas Cancer Institute; Rebecca Hegarty, Cancer Information Service and Brooke Groneman, STAR Trial.

The organizers of this event invite anyone interested in American Indian health issues to attend this conference. For more information or for reservations, contact Janelle Murk, at the Prairie Band Potawatomi Government Center, toll free at  877-715-6789, Ext. 4020.