IMPLEMENTING BREAST AND CERVICAL-CANCER PREVENTION PROGRAMS AMONG THEHOUMA INDIANS OF SOUTHERN LOUISIANA - CULTURAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

This paper provides an overview of the ethical and cultural issues tha t were taken into account in planning a cross-cultural study of barrie rs to breast and cervical cancer screening among Houma Indian women wh o reside in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. In such cross-cultural studi es, the investigators and members of the target population are from di fferent cultural backgrounds. In planning the study, ethical principle s and cultural norms were carefully specified to ensure that the welfa re of the participants would be protected and potential benefits maxim ized. This experience with the Houma Indian Nation illustrates the nee d for greater participation of research subjects in the planning and i mplementation of studies on their behalf. An ethical, culturally sensi tive approach to cancer control research is needed to address the heal th concerns of Native American populations.