Introduction: The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize the current knowledge of factors that enable or impede American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women from accessing breast cancer screening.
Methodology: A systematic search of MEDLINE and CINAHL databases identified relevant research studies published from 2007 to 2017.
Results: Consistent with other low-income populations, socioeconomic factors were related to lower rates of screening in AI/AN women. However, some factors, such as reliance on the Indian Health Service, cultural issues, and traditionality were unique to this population.
Discussion: AI/AN women appear to face many of the difficulties that other low-income minority women face in accessing preventive care; however, they may face unique challenges and circumstances in accessing care. Efforts to work with tribes in the development of interventions framed by community-based participatory research are needed to tackle the disparities in the AI/AN community.
Keywords: breast cancer; cancer prevention; health disparities; native women; women’s health.