At the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, we want you to feel safe and welcome when you seek cancer care. Native American and Alaska Native patients can face unique challenges when navigating the healthcare system. That’s why we provide culturally respectful support and guidance.

Walking with you through cancer care

Our Indigenous community oncology navigator is here to help you. This person can:

• Walk with you from diagnosis through treatment and beyond
• Help you understand who will meet with you at each visit and why
• Help you get around any obstacles to care
• Make sure your values and beliefs are respected
• Connect you with help for travel, lodging, food and financial needs
• Share cultural resources, such as sweat lodges, traditional medicines and community events

Learn about other patient and family resources at OHSU.

Cancer and Indigenous patients

Our navigator plays an important role because cancer can look different for Indigenous people. Native American and Alaska Native patients:

• May face barriers to learning about cancer prevention, risk or symptoms.
• Are at higher risk of some cancers. For instance, Native Americans in Oregon are twice as likely to have pancreatic cancer as other Native Americans in the U.S.
• May not have access to cancer screening.
• Are more likely to have their cancers found later, when treatment options are limited. 
• May put off care due to barriers to healthcare access.
• Tend to have lower survival rates than other groups.

At the Knight, we are working with Native communities to build trust and bridge gaps in care and research. Our experts in Indigenous health include:

• Amanda Bruegl, M.D.
• Torrie Eagle Staff
• Lonnie James, M.B.A.
• Claymore Kills First, Pharm.D.