Dr. Amanda Bruegl, a member of the Stockbridge and Oneida Nations, shares why cancer screening and cancer prevention are so important for our Native peoples, and how providers can be more sensitive to our unique cultural needs. She explains how to advocate for yourself and your body during visits with a health provider: “Bring a friend, bring your auntie, bring someone to a visit. If you need someone to hold your hand, that’s ok.”

Amanda Bruegl, MD, MS, Oneida/Stockbridge-Munsee Nations, is the Associate Director of the Education Core in the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence and Associate Professor of Gynecologic Oncology. Dr. Bruegl grew up in Wisconsin and went to medical school at University of Washington. She originally thought she wanted to be a Family Medicine Physician and work for her tribe. During clinical rotations, she fell in love with Women’s Health and matched to an OB/Gyn residency at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. After residency, she extended her training and pursued a fellowship in gynecologic oncology. She has been at OHSU for the past 6 years and has devoted her early career to providing specialty care to AI/AN women, mentoring AI/AN learners, and pursuing a research career focusing on gynecologic cancer prevention in AI/AN women.”

Resources:

For more information on cancers:
Mayo Clinic 

For Native peoples seeking cancer care:
Indian Health Services: Find Health Care
American Indian Cancer Foundation 

For Cervical cancer survivors:
Cervivor Facebook Page

For Natives interested in the health professions:
Northwest Native Center for Excellence
We Are Healers 

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