Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 5, 1 May 1997 — More "I paʻa i kona mākua" "Respect your ancestors," ʻŌlelo Noʻeau by CIaire Hughes Nutritionist, Hawaiʻi Department Of Health [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]
More "I paʻa i kona mākua" "Respect your ancestors," ʻŌlelo Noʻeau by CIaire Hughes Nutritionist, Hawaiʻi Department Of Health
▼ The proverb, "I pa'a i kona mākua" ('ōlelo no'eau), tells us to adhere to the teachings and values of our parents. [ fn the April issue, we explored the role of 1 women in Polynesian society and the family and i found that protecting the safety and
health of women was an 1 important aspect of the eulture. Proverbs from 'Olelo No'eau and Kawena Pukui's description of customs in Ka'ū surrounding childbirth and pregnancy, show that systems existed generations ago to protect women. Sadly, in our new lifestyle, we seem to have been distracted from this practice.
f t is vitally important that we restore the ancient cultural values that make Hawaiian life uniaue,
just as is being done with our language, dance and music. As Hawaiian women, we need to renew and rebuild the special eoneem for protection of our daughters and granddaughters, our sisters, nieces and cousins. We need to instill these values in all of our keiki and mo'opuna. T oday, there are many threats to women's health. Understanding them is crucial to preven-
tion. Well-known enemies like heart trouble, high blood pressure and cancer, meet new threats, like HIV/AIDS. 8reast cancer is a particularly serious problem for Hawaiian women. We know that proportionately more native Hawaiian women die of breast cancer than all other women in the
United States, although breast cancer rates among all women have been increasing since the 1940s. New data tells us that one in nine women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer (previously it was one in ten.) Following are some breast cancer facts: • U.S. breast cancer rates are four to seven times higher compared to Asia. • If your mother or sisters had or have breast cancer, your risk increases two to six times. • If your periods started between 11 and 14 years of age, your risk is 30 :ent higher than if they started at age 16.
• If you have one aleoholie drink per day, your risk increases by 10 percent, two drinks a day increase your risk by 70 percent, and three drinks a day increase your risk by 100 percent compared to the nondrinker. • Overweight in women after menopause raises breast cancer risk slightly. Those with more weight around the waist rather than around hips
and thighs are more likely to get breast cancer. £ecrets of cancer prevention may be found in diets of women where breast cancer rates are low. Traditional Asian diets include soy products, like tofu, miso and soy milk, whieh contain phytoestrogens, a substance similar to the hormone estrogen. The theory is that plant estrogens interfere with breast cancer development and any such interferenee would cut a woman's risk. Scientists agree that a plant-based diet, exercise, and staying lean, will cut the odds of getting heart conditions, eolon cancer and other big killers, not just breast cancer. Less meat, high-fat dairy products, margarine and oils may lower your risk. Eating more vegetables, fruits, grains and beans, lean meats and low-fat dairy products is the better ehoiee to lower your risk. Traditional Hawaiian food practices ean be used and taught to our children. Good lifetime practices include eating lots of green and orange colored vegetables high in vitamins A and C daily and using low-fat cooking methods. Fresh food reduces the cancer risk from preservatives used in sausage, canned and processed meats. Pork and coconut were excluded from the diet of women by the kapu system. Today we know these foods are high in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. Men and boys in the family benefit as well from such eating habits with a lower cancer risk.
Ka Wal Ola o OHA Mel '97
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