The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63032

James R. Rarick, MPH, Cancer Information Service, Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, 1236 Lauhala Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, (808) 586-5855, jrarick@crch.hawaii.edu

Several factors must be considered in planning population-based cancer control initiatives, including rates at which specific cancers occur within the population, community awareness about causes of cancer, and the extent of cancer-related risk factors.

Recent studies have shown that mortality rates for some types of cancers have been increasing in some Pacific Islander populations. Cancers of the nasopharnyx, stomach, liver and gall bladder are significantly higher in American Samoan and Chamorro populations than rates for Caucasian or non-Hispanic white populations on the U.S. mainland.

Few studies have been done to evaluate cancer knowledge, attitudes and beliefs among Pacific Islanders. Studies conducted among American Samoans living in American Samoa, Hawaii, and California have revealed cultural beliefs that may influence healthcare decisions and be important causal factor to cancers being detected in later stages among American Samoans than among non-Hispanic whites.

Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and Youth Risk Behavior Survey have documented high smoking rates among both Pacific Islander adults and youth. Smoking prevalence rates among adult Pacific Islanders living in Guam actually increased between 1995 and 1999, while rates decreased slightly in the Asian and non-API population.

A synthesis of this data allows health professionals and community health advocates to design and evaluate cancer control interventions at the local level, and to clearly identify gaps that still exist in knowledge about the cancer burden in each of these jurisdictions.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to: 1. Recognize critical limitations in the reporting of cancer statistics for Pacific Islanders 2. List the rates for three cancers that are significantly higher in either Samoan’s living in American Samoa, or Chamorros living on Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, as compared to various ethnic groups living in the U.S. 3. Identify at least 5 important barriers to cancer control efforts in each of the three jurisdictions, including at least one cultural, one environmental, and one resource barrier.
• Describe the major cancer control efforts currently being used in each jurisdiction, and identify 3 strategies for improving evaluation of these efforts in each jurisdiction

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service - Hawaii
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.