Honoring Indigenous Voices: Empowering Communities for a Healthier, Stronger Future

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is deeply committed to supporting Indigenous communities in addressing the health disparities that impact their lives.

According to the ACS’ 2026 Cancer Facts & Figures report,  alarming inequalities in cancer rates persist across Indigenous communities. Incidence and mortality in American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people are approximately twice that in White people for cancers of the kidney, liver, stomach, and cervix, and 45% higher for colorectal cancer. We recognize the vital role Indigenous peoples play in preserving their cultures, traditions, and wisdom, and we honor their leadership in addressing health disparities, particularly in the fight against cancer.

Through partnerships focused on education, early detection, and culturally relevant health care services, we are working to ensure Indigenous voices are central to shaping cancer prevention and treatment strategies. In our new documentary series, “Real Lives: Cancer Stories of Indigenous People,” we aim to shed light on the social, economic, and geographic barriers that continue to perpetuate these disparities. The series will highlight the cancer journeys of Indigenous individuals, their caregivers, and communities, offering an authentic perspective from the American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) and Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations.