"Abstract

Purpose of the Review

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of breast cancer screening, clinical characteristics, treatment, and survivorship in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women.

Recent Findings

Breast cancer in AI/AN women is a complex public health issue marked by disparities in incidence, stage, treatment, and survival that vary regionally. Limited screening mammography, workforce shortages, and underfunded healthcare systems contribute to late diagnoses and poorer outcomes. Social and cultural factors, including historical trauma and medical mistrust, further hinder care. Data on breast cancer topics for AI/AN is limited and often compromised by misclassification and underrepresentation. The Indian Health Service (IHS) plays a crucial but underfunded role in providing care, often insufficient to meet the complex needs of AI/AN women, especially those living in urban areas.

Summary

As Indigenous surgeons working with AI/AN communities, we applied our perspectives to a comprehensive review of the literature. To reduce disparities, research must prioritize Indigenous leadership, respect tribal sovereignty, improve data accuracy, and foster equitable collaborations that center AI/AN priorities."