NIH Funds $17.2M Grant to Enhance Cancer Care for Native American Communities

The University of Oklahoma has received a $17.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to partner with Native American communities and improve cancer outcomes. This important initiative will focus on cancer prevention, screening, and care coordination. The American Indian and Alaska Native population in Oklahoma experiences higher rates of cancer compared to the general U.S. population, and this research will address those disparities. The work of the grant will be led by the Native American Center for Cancer Health Equity (NACCHE) at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center. Researchers will work directly with 16 tribal nations and closely consult with a Tribal Advisory Council to establish best practices and ensure the research is tailored to the specific needs of Native communities. The “Improving Cancer Outcomes in Native American Communities” (ICON) grant supports the clinical, research, and educational missions of OU Health and the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

One of the major goals is to increase lung cancer screenings in the Cherokee Nation, where cancer rates are still rising. By improving access to screenings and offering tobacco cessation support, the initiative aims to detect cancer earlier and prevent more deaths. In addition, the project will tackle logistical challenges often faced by patients, such as accessing transportation or affording nutritional support, to ensure they can receive the care they need without unnecessary barriers. Through innovative telehealth and community-based strategies, the project will also enhance coordination between primary care providers and cancer specialists, improving follow-up care and reducing delays in treatment. This means that from diagnosis through treatment, patients will experience more personalized, continuous care. Finally, researchers will examine the impact of arsenic and uranium levels in drinking water, which have been historically high in Native communities, to determine how they might contribute to cancer rates.

Stephenson Cancer Center is one of only two National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers to receive this grant. Since 2012, the cancer center’s Native American navigators have served more than 4,460 Native patients, representing 65 local, regional and national tribal affiliations. “This new grant represents a milestone for Stephenson Cancer Center and for our patients across Oklahoma,” said gynecologic oncologist Robert Mannel, M.D., director of OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the OU College of Medicine.

Read more from The University of Oklahoma about this groundbreaking research that promises to create lasting benefits for Native American families, improving cancer care for generations to come.

OU Awarded $17 Million NIH Grant to Improve Cancer Outcomes Among Native Americans