Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 04, 1 April 2003 — 'Imi Hale — getting the word out about cancer prevention [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'Imi Hale — getting the word out about cancer prevention

Colette Machado Trustee, Moloka'i and Lāna'i

Last month 'Imi Hale had their annual meeting for the Community in Nu'uanu at the Queen's Summer Palaee. I am a new member of the Community Advisory Council of 'Imi Hale - the Native Hawaiian Cancer Awareness, Research and Training Network, whieh is a five-year project of Papa Ola Lōkahi, funded by the National Cancer Institute. The native Hawaiian community has the second highest overall ineidence rate of cancer, and the highest age-adjusted cancer mortality rate in Hawaii, when compared to other ethnic groups here. Hawaiian women have a mortality rate 2.6 times higher than the general populaee of our state - and the second highest breast cancer incidence rate in the nation. These statistics suggest that we are being diagnosed late with cancer, and we need to do something to change this. 'Imi

Hale is actively engaged in creating better ways to address cancer through - promoting cancer awareness, prevention, and research in the Hawaiian community. Imi Hale emphasizes community participation and respect for our cultural values and beliefs. At the annual meeting there were many photographic exhibits that illustrated the education efforts within our community to raise the level of consciousness for selfbreast exam, and other cancer screening methods. One of the popular methods to engage the eommunity regarding breast cancer is the making of the "cancer bead neeklaee." The beads represent the size of tumors that ean be detected in the breast. By illustrating this medical condition with a tactile object, women, Hawaiian women, ean begin to raise their awareness and the knowledge in their 'ohana of

breast cancer. By promoting early cancer screening within our Hawaiian community we ean achieve a significant reduction in cancer mortality. Cancer awareness is the starting point for our community, but what about those who have breast cancer already, how do we help them? Imi Hale has developed the Native Hawaiian Breast Cancer booklets entitled: (1) "Breast Health Care," (2) "Discovering We Have Breast Cancer, (3) "Post - Diagnosis: Now What?" and (4) "The Importance of Ohana in Survivorship." These four booklets are available to you through your loeal office of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems. There was a slide show regarding the seven NIH funded pilot projects that were presented to the audience by the principle investigators. One project was particularly impressive,

"Native Hawaiian Research Training Using the Search for Bioactive Compounds in Hawaiian Medicinal Plants." This project invoIves Native Hawaiian students at Kamehameha Schools, and some public and private high schools. Students in this advanced plaeemenl science program are engaged in investigating native plants for medieinal purposes. KS teacher Dr. Larry Morden, and KS' ethnobotanist Nathan Nishimura are the investigators for this project, and two of their students, Amanda Garcia and Kaupua Ka'uhane, were recognized for their work. What makes this project so exciting is the development of the scientific method in our young people. Dr. Clayton D. K. Chong (KS '72), principle investigator for 'Imi Hale and the only Native Hawaiian See MACHADO on page 20

MACHADO from page 19 oncologist, and Joann Tsark (KS '68), MPH and project director - both gave tribute to the research projects funded by NIH, and the Oregon Health and Science University-Native Ameiiean Research Program. They acknowledged the work of the 'Imi Hale staff. Charles Rose — colorectal cancer survivor - was instrumental in getting the full support of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs membership to support the 'Imi Hale's colorectal cancer project. Charlie was honored and presented with a two panel set of beautifully framed Pegge Hopper prints, in appreciation for his commitment and support. The annual community meeting of 'Imi Hale gathered all the members from around the islands to talk-story about cancer, and ways to reach our community - this was inspiring, and I especially eommend the work of our Community Outreach staff within the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems, who are there in the trenches talking and educating us about cancer prevention. If you would like to know more about 'Imi Hale's programs, are interested in training for your community - or interested in helping to develop a research proposal, please go to www.imihale.org. ■