Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center are jointly hosting the 10th annual Spirit of EAGLES: Changing Patterns of Cancer in Native Communities conference, to be held Sept. 21–24 in Niagara Falls, New York.
Rodney Haring, PhD, who serves on American Indian and Alaska Native Health Research Advisory Council, is here to discuss the conference and why do cancer disparities exist within Native American societies?
Selected Podcast
Cancer Health Disparities in the Native American Population
Featured Speaker:
Learn more about Rodney Haring, PhD
Rodney Haring, PhD
Rodney C. Haring, PhD, MSW is research faculty at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Cancer Prevention and Populations Sciences Division. Dr. Haring is also adjunct faculty at the Native American Research and Training Center, University of Arizona. He is a National Congress of American Indians scholar, past fellow of the Spirit of EAGLES Program at the Mayo Clinic, and a former Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Connections Grantee. He is also the founder of One Feather Consulting, a joint venture company with Chestnut Global Partners. Dr. Haring (Beaver Clan) is an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and resides on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation with his family.Learn more about Rodney Haring, PhD
Transcription:
Cancer Health Disparities in the Native American Population
Bill Klaproth (Host): Stats reveal that certain groups such as Native Americans suffer disproportionately from cancer and its associated effects including premature death. And here to talk with us about Cancer Health Disparities in the Native American Population is Dr. Rodney Haring, Assistant Professor Office of Cancer Health Disparities Research and Department of Cancer Prevention and Control at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Haring, thank you for your time. So, why do cancer disparities exist within the Native American societies?
Dr. Rodney Haring, PhD, MSW (Guest): In some cases and there are over 550 fairly recognized Native American Nations in the United States and over 500 bands in Canada, so in North America, you have over 1000 distinct tribal groups. Many times, within these environments, there is a change of perhaps environmental – the way people live in communities, some social disparities among education, among outlets for healthcare, among food access, among a number of different things. So, a lot of times it is based on environmental issues. I’ll give you an example of a recent one that potentially has impact from an environmental stand point and that was related to the Dakota Access Pipeline and some of the environmental issues that could relate to certain types of cancer. Also there are increased rates of tobacco use in certain regions of Indian country. There are also differences between genders. So, each tribe isn’t exactly similar but some of the types of cancers effect some tribal groups more than others.
Bill: So why is it important then to apply disparities research within the community?
Dr. Haring: It’s important to understand what the incidence rates are among the different tribal groups, prevalence in the mortality patterns and being part of that research process, really gauges how we can interact, intervene and provide for our future generations. And some of the philosophies of Iroquois Confederacy or the Haudenosaunee where Roswell Park is situated, it is said that in our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations. So that kind of plays right into our – the way we conduct research and the way we think about that is that the research that we are doing now really has to have an impact for future generations in the health of not only our people, but all people and so cancer research is important and native peoples and native communities and native societies and native nations really need to be part of that process to make sure and insure that the new innovations that are coming from research whether it be behavioral interventions or whether it be prevention, whether it be basic science; that we are involved in that process and it is applicable and relevant to our peoples.
Bill: And Dr. Haring, are there specific types of cancer Native Americans are more susceptible to?
Dr. Haring: Some of the ones that I had previously mentioned. Every group is a little bit different. But what I can say, is that one thing that is emerging across Indian country and across not only native peoples but people across the whole globe is obesity and obesity related cancers. And a lot of the work that I have been involved with, over time, has been revolving around core current conditions so obesity related cancer falls into that. That would be cancers of the food pathways related to perhaps esophageal cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, and liver cancer and other cancers that are related. Those are certain things that are really across the board, are important to understand. There has been an elevation in liver types of cancers and likely it is related to obesity and other things, but obesity and diabetes and things that occur in Indian country; we really need to look at that and investigate why that is and find avenues to attack that in a good way.
Bill: And Dr. Haring, can you update us on any new research that you are conducting?
Dr. Haring: I have been involved in a number of projects. Again, a lot of it is related to obesity related cancers from a prevention standpoint and an intervention standpoint and we created a workplace module for working with employee assistance programs. Many tribes and nations both in the US and in Canada do have tribal workforces and it is an excellent way to intervene and really work within the communities. We have created a workplace module to look at obesity related cancers and really focusing on sharing information, looking at other factors that may be tied to that including stress, resiliency factors, looking back at ancestral food pathways and traditional means of activity. So, all these things are very important and a way to approach oneself. It isn’t always that we are looking specifically at cancer. Cancer happens with many things perhaps not only within one’s body but within one’s family, within one’s community. So, we really need to take a look at everything that is happening in the environment of that person so that is some of the research we are doing. We are also looking at ways to incorporate some of the advances. Perhaps coming from Cuba with the CimaVax vaccine trials at Roswell Park and also further looking at perhaps some of the Heberprot-P diabetic foot ulcer treatments and how these translate – some of these advances translate into Indian country. So, although I am working in a cancer center, it is also very important to understand some of these other devastating health disparities that are occurring in Indian country and how we can work together to not only treat cancer, but other things that are important to the native nations that guide us through a community based research process.
Bill: Right, it almost sounds a little bit like connect the dots as you weigh all of the factors that builds that picture and Dr. Haring, can you tell us about the upcoming Spirit of Eagles National Conference which is coming up in September?
Dr. Haring: Yes, this is one of our most exciting conferences of the year. We are really excited to be part of that. It’s a joint effort between two comprehensive cancer centers, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the Mayo Clinic. We have a number of speakers coming from all across Indian country, native and nonnative; but what I think is really exciting about this conference is that it blends both the Western perspective on science with the traditional perspective on science and so we have a number of top notch researchers looking not only at cancer health disparities research and general health disparities research; but we also have a traditional side of some of the most powerful traditional speakers that are going to be talking about health and wellness as it relates to Indian country. So, it is really a blend of Western science and indigenous science and indigenous philosophies that really, I think puts this conference as one that one should attend to learn a whole array of education, intervention, research, and about Indian country as a whole.
Bill: And that conference is September 21st through the 24th, 2017 in Niagara Falls. Dr. Haring, it’s an honor to talk with you. You have had a very accomplished career including being an expert panel member to the US Department of Education, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office to the President and can you tell us about serving on the Federal Advisory Panel that recommended ways to reduce health disparities in Native American communities?
Dr. Haring: Yeah, it is truly an honor to be part of that process of really bringing the knowledge from the communities and being guided by the communities and growing up on a reservation and then making my way through college and then being asked to represent the Seneca Nation of Indians as a board member at large to the Health Research Advisory Council to the Department of Health and Human Services is truly an honor and previous to that, doing the education type advocacy along with substance abuse. I trained as a social worker but it really positions me to be in a way to not only be a community based researcher but also to really provide insights and the advocacy from our Native Nations back to the Federal Government in a guiding kind of way. Part of that process is to make sure that policies are in place so that we are included at the table when these things happen. So, a lot of the things that I do advocate for come from our native nations in regard to research, health policy and a lot of those things also revolve around ethics. The ethics of research in Indian country and how we can also shape our future generations, our workforces; making sure that our young minds are getting into college in the right way. That they are promoted and really learn how to navigate between Indian country, reservation, Native Urban Centers and how we can all work together to accomplish a better society as a whole both for Indian country but also for our whole world. So, it is really an honor to be a part of that process. I am really thankful to do that kind of work and I think we have made a lot of accomplishments both at the tribal level but also working and advocating side by side with the Federal government.
Bill: Absolutely, and it’s an honor to talk with you. You are quite a resource to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Native American Community. Dr. Haring, thank you so much for your time today. For more information, visit roswellpark.org, that’s roswellpark.org. You are listening to Cancer Talk with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. I’m Bill Klaproth. Thanks for listening.
Cancer Health Disparities in the Native American Population
Bill Klaproth (Host): Stats reveal that certain groups such as Native Americans suffer disproportionately from cancer and its associated effects including premature death. And here to talk with us about Cancer Health Disparities in the Native American Population is Dr. Rodney Haring, Assistant Professor Office of Cancer Health Disparities Research and Department of Cancer Prevention and Control at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Haring, thank you for your time. So, why do cancer disparities exist within the Native American societies?
Dr. Rodney Haring, PhD, MSW (Guest): In some cases and there are over 550 fairly recognized Native American Nations in the United States and over 500 bands in Canada, so in North America, you have over 1000 distinct tribal groups. Many times, within these environments, there is a change of perhaps environmental – the way people live in communities, some social disparities among education, among outlets for healthcare, among food access, among a number of different things. So, a lot of times it is based on environmental issues. I’ll give you an example of a recent one that potentially has impact from an environmental stand point and that was related to the Dakota Access Pipeline and some of the environmental issues that could relate to certain types of cancer. Also there are increased rates of tobacco use in certain regions of Indian country. There are also differences between genders. So, each tribe isn’t exactly similar but some of the types of cancers effect some tribal groups more than others.
Bill: So why is it important then to apply disparities research within the community?
Dr. Haring: It’s important to understand what the incidence rates are among the different tribal groups, prevalence in the mortality patterns and being part of that research process, really gauges how we can interact, intervene and provide for our future generations. And some of the philosophies of Iroquois Confederacy or the Haudenosaunee where Roswell Park is situated, it is said that in our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations. So that kind of plays right into our – the way we conduct research and the way we think about that is that the research that we are doing now really has to have an impact for future generations in the health of not only our people, but all people and so cancer research is important and native peoples and native communities and native societies and native nations really need to be part of that process to make sure and insure that the new innovations that are coming from research whether it be behavioral interventions or whether it be prevention, whether it be basic science; that we are involved in that process and it is applicable and relevant to our peoples.
Bill: And Dr. Haring, are there specific types of cancer Native Americans are more susceptible to?
Dr. Haring: Some of the ones that I had previously mentioned. Every group is a little bit different. But what I can say, is that one thing that is emerging across Indian country and across not only native peoples but people across the whole globe is obesity and obesity related cancers. And a lot of the work that I have been involved with, over time, has been revolving around core current conditions so obesity related cancer falls into that. That would be cancers of the food pathways related to perhaps esophageal cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, and liver cancer and other cancers that are related. Those are certain things that are really across the board, are important to understand. There has been an elevation in liver types of cancers and likely it is related to obesity and other things, but obesity and diabetes and things that occur in Indian country; we really need to look at that and investigate why that is and find avenues to attack that in a good way.
Bill: And Dr. Haring, can you update us on any new research that you are conducting?
Dr. Haring: I have been involved in a number of projects. Again, a lot of it is related to obesity related cancers from a prevention standpoint and an intervention standpoint and we created a workplace module for working with employee assistance programs. Many tribes and nations both in the US and in Canada do have tribal workforces and it is an excellent way to intervene and really work within the communities. We have created a workplace module to look at obesity related cancers and really focusing on sharing information, looking at other factors that may be tied to that including stress, resiliency factors, looking back at ancestral food pathways and traditional means of activity. So, all these things are very important and a way to approach oneself. It isn’t always that we are looking specifically at cancer. Cancer happens with many things perhaps not only within one’s body but within one’s family, within one’s community. So, we really need to take a look at everything that is happening in the environment of that person so that is some of the research we are doing. We are also looking at ways to incorporate some of the advances. Perhaps coming from Cuba with the CimaVax vaccine trials at Roswell Park and also further looking at perhaps some of the Heberprot-P diabetic foot ulcer treatments and how these translate – some of these advances translate into Indian country. So, although I am working in a cancer center, it is also very important to understand some of these other devastating health disparities that are occurring in Indian country and how we can work together to not only treat cancer, but other things that are important to the native nations that guide us through a community based research process.
Bill: Right, it almost sounds a little bit like connect the dots as you weigh all of the factors that builds that picture and Dr. Haring, can you tell us about the upcoming Spirit of Eagles National Conference which is coming up in September?
Dr. Haring: Yes, this is one of our most exciting conferences of the year. We are really excited to be part of that. It’s a joint effort between two comprehensive cancer centers, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the Mayo Clinic. We have a number of speakers coming from all across Indian country, native and nonnative; but what I think is really exciting about this conference is that it blends both the Western perspective on science with the traditional perspective on science and so we have a number of top notch researchers looking not only at cancer health disparities research and general health disparities research; but we also have a traditional side of some of the most powerful traditional speakers that are going to be talking about health and wellness as it relates to Indian country. So, it is really a blend of Western science and indigenous science and indigenous philosophies that really, I think puts this conference as one that one should attend to learn a whole array of education, intervention, research, and about Indian country as a whole.
Bill: And that conference is September 21st through the 24th, 2017 in Niagara Falls. Dr. Haring, it’s an honor to talk with you. You have had a very accomplished career including being an expert panel member to the US Department of Education, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office to the President and can you tell us about serving on the Federal Advisory Panel that recommended ways to reduce health disparities in Native American communities?
Dr. Haring: Yeah, it is truly an honor to be part of that process of really bringing the knowledge from the communities and being guided by the communities and growing up on a reservation and then making my way through college and then being asked to represent the Seneca Nation of Indians as a board member at large to the Health Research Advisory Council to the Department of Health and Human Services is truly an honor and previous to that, doing the education type advocacy along with substance abuse. I trained as a social worker but it really positions me to be in a way to not only be a community based researcher but also to really provide insights and the advocacy from our Native Nations back to the Federal Government in a guiding kind of way. Part of that process is to make sure that policies are in place so that we are included at the table when these things happen. So, a lot of the things that I do advocate for come from our native nations in regard to research, health policy and a lot of those things also revolve around ethics. The ethics of research in Indian country and how we can also shape our future generations, our workforces; making sure that our young minds are getting into college in the right way. That they are promoted and really learn how to navigate between Indian country, reservation, Native Urban Centers and how we can all work together to accomplish a better society as a whole both for Indian country but also for our whole world. So, it is really an honor to be a part of that process. I am really thankful to do that kind of work and I think we have made a lot of accomplishments both at the tribal level but also working and advocating side by side with the Federal government.
Bill: Absolutely, and it’s an honor to talk with you. You are quite a resource to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Native American Community. Dr. Haring, thank you so much for your time today. For more information, visit roswellpark.org, that’s roswellpark.org. You are listening to Cancer Talk with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. I’m Bill Klaproth. Thanks for listening.