Arts-Based Research Methods to Explore Cancer in Indigenous Communities

Indigenous peoples experience an inequitable burden of cancer compared with other populations. The arts can serve as a culturally relevant cancer intervention and research method. A scoping review was conducted to determine how arts-based research methods have been used to address cancer in Indigenous peoples. Literature searches identified 129 publications; 32 were selected for review. The following data were extracted: communities employing arts-based cancer research, cancer control continuum stages, cancer types, art forms, and methodologies. Most studies were conducted in the United States. Art as research and sound art forms were the most utilized arts-based methods. Cancer types and control continuum stages were not often specified. Culturally responsive, arts-based methods can enhance research and education across the cancer-control continuum with Indigenous populations.