Screenings are tests for a disease when the patient has no symptoms or history of that condition. Regular screenings may find cancer early, which is when treatments usually work best.
Detectable cancers for which screening is possible largely affect1 Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native populations. These include colorectal, lung, female breast, and cervical cancers.
Lowest rates of lung cancers in males
Highest rates of lung cancer in males and breast cancer in females
Lowest rates of cervical cancer in females
Lowest rates of lung cancers in males
Highest rates of lung cancer in males and breast cancer in females
Lowest rates of cervical cancer in females
Source: CDC2
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force3 recommends annual lung cancer screenings4 with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for people who have no symptoms, but at are high risk because of their age and smoking history.
Candidates must meet the following conditions:5
If you think you may be a candidate, discuss this screening with your physician.
What can you expect during an LDCT scan? Patients will lie on a table, while an X-ray machine uses a low dose of radiation to capture photos of your lungs. This is not a painful screening, but repeated LDCT tests may cause cancer from radiation exposure.
Unfortunately, there is no evidence available to indicate that screening for the following cancers can reduce the likelihood of death: ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, thyroid.
In addition, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force3 has not determined5 whether the benefits outweigh the harms of screening for bladder and oral cancer, as well as visual skin screening for skin cancer.
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A citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation of Montana, Robbie Gondara is passionate about the prevention of suicide and commercial tobacco use. In fact, he has dedicated more than 18 years of his career to working in prevention, tobacco and suicide, Indigenous youth mental health, and helping the houseless/homeless population. He has managed multiple million-dollar SAMHSA grants/programs using “Wrap Around” services and creating communities and systems of care and communities of practice. He is trained in Wrap Around, ASSIST, and QPR and has led and directed two Garret Lee Smith Suicide Prevention grants funded by SAMHSA.
Robbie’s career began at the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest in Portland, Oregon. He later worked in suicide prevention for the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Board of Health in Lame Deer, Montana and the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness. He currently serves as the program director of the Tribal National Network Driving Action, an initiative of the CDC, at Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council in Billings, Montana.
Robbie attended Saint Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia, Missouri. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in human development and family sciences from the School of Public Health at Oregon State University. He also holds a general studies degree from Chief Dull Knife College.
Robbie has three adult daughters, three amazing grandchildren, and three dogs, who are his babies. In his spare time, he spends as much time with his family as he can. He also enjoys fishing, gardening, and being active within the Native American community.
Kinsley WalksAlong (Ánováóó’o – Beautiful Girl) grew up in Lame Deer, Montana on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. There, she became immersed in her cultural heritage and learned the art of creating beadwork, regalia, and quill work from her grandmothers. As an adult, she continuously seeks ways to advocate for Indigenous People. For instance, she strives to revive customs as the Traditional Cheyenne Quill Work Instructor at Chief Dull Knife College. She was also recently honored by hosting the Northern Cheyenne table at the Mayor’s World Languages Dinner in Billings, Montana.
Kinsley combined her passion for indigenous values with her vigor for community empowerment when she became the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council Communications Health Specialist in 2022. In this role, she is a champion of tobacco-free living, which she promotes through Good Medicine Keepers.
Kinsley is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications from Montana State University Billings. She holds an associate degree from Chief Dull Knife College and a Basic Tobacco Intervention Skills Certification for Native Communities through the University of Arizona HealthCare Partnership.
Kinsley finds happiness in spending time with her family and two children, traveling to powwows, and participating in handgames throughout Indian Country.
Originally from Fort Belknap, Montana, Theresa EnemyHunter (Good Horse Woman) is a Nakoda (Assiniboine) Tribal Member. She manages comprehensive cancer control efforts and coordinates outreach and training activities as the program manager of Good Medicine Keepers. This is more than just a job to Theresa – it is her personal mission. Theresa has lost family members to lung cancer and other cancers directly related to commercial tobacco use. She is passionate about educating others to prevent further death and disease, while instilling the truth about sacred tobacco. Through her work, she honors connections to ancestors, her Tribal community, tradition, and culture.
Theresa began her career with Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council in 2018 as the admin for the BIA Indian Child Welfare Act program. She then served as RMTLC’s budget specialist before transitioning into her role with Good Medicine Keepers in 2024.
Theresa holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Montana State University Billings and an associate degree in data processing from Aaniiih Nakoda Community College. She also earned a Basic Tobacco Intervention Skills Certification for Native Communities through the University of Arizona HealthCare Partnership.
One of Theresa’s greatest loves is teaching younger generations cultural crafts and traditions. She presents cultural history and ribbon skirt classes to community groups. She also enjoys creating and teaching others how to make star quilts, dancing outfits, and beaded jewelry. When she isn’t working on a project, you can find her with her family at powwows, handgames, or other Native American events.
