Cancer Overall in the Cherokee Nation

Cancer is a major illness and is the second leading cause of death in the Cherokee Nation. Lung cancer is a leading cancer for Cherokee native Americans.

The top five incidence rates for cancer in Cherokee Nation are:

Lung
Breast
Prostate
Colorectal
Cervix

Below is information on types of cancer and their risk factors.

Lung Cancer

Smoking
Secondhand Smoke
Radon (radioactive gas)
Personal History of Lung Cancer

Breast Cancer

Portrait of a mature native american woman wearing pink

Getting Older
Lack of Physical Activity
Genetic Mutations
Early Menstruation
Late/No Pregnancy

Prostate Cancer

Age
Race/Ethinicity
Gene Changes
Chemical Exposures

Colorectal Cancer

portrait of a mature native american woman

Certain Types of Diets
Having Type II Diabetes
A Personal History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Cervical Cancer

young native american woman posing alone

HPV Infection
Chlamydia Infection
Long-term IUD and Birth Control Pill Use
Weakened Immune System
Having Multiple Full-Term Pregnancies

Other Risk Factors
Two men talking

Sunlight
Cigarette Smoking & Commercial Tobacco Use
Alcohol Use
Poor Diet
Lack of Physical Activity
Being Overweight/Obese
Family History

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors, such as exposure to ionizing radiation, chemicals or other substances can also increase risk. Family history of cancer may also increase risk.

Summer Time and Tanning

A Base Tan Is Not a Safe Tan. There is a common misconception that a tan acts as the body’s natural protection against sunburn. The Burning Truth: A tan is the body’s response to injury from UV rays, showing that damage has been done. A “base tan” only provides a sun protection factor (SPF) of about 3 or less, which does little to protect you from future UV exposure.