History & Goals
History
How was the Women’s Health Promotion Program developed? When the Women’s Health Promotion Program began in February 1995, representatives from each of the nine federally recognized Oregon tribes along with two other Indian health programs met to develop a comprehensive, four-year plan. The Women’s Health Promotion Coalition meets regularly, oversees program activities and leads screening efforts in their communities.
Goals
The goal of the Women’s Health Promotion Program is to increase the number of American Indian and Alaskan Native women who are screened for breast and cervical cancer.
The Women’s Health Promotion Program promotes routine women’s health checks in a collaborative effort that makes resources available especially for women with inadequate resources for screening. The Program provides training and technical assistance to Oregon tribes as they carry out activities to increase the number of Indian women who are screened for breast and cervical cancer.
It’s probably safe to say that breast and cervical cancer screening is not always foremost in the minds of American Indian and Alaskan Native women. Many obstacles often stand in way of routine screening. In addition, other personal obstacles include: fear, lack of transportation, and lack of child care. Institutional barriers sometimes include lack of female health care providers, inadequate number of health care providers which means having to wait a long time to get in to be seen, and a perceived lack of confidentiality.
However, once routine screening is established, it offers the potential for confirming good health. It also offers great opportunity for early detection if cancer is present. With a combination of routine mammograms, clinical breast exams, breast self-exams and Pap tests, abnormalities can be spotted early. Early detection allows for early treatment which almost always means a good outcome.
