Native Hawaiian men ’ s study highlights culturally grounded prevention efforts
The study results of the UH Cancer Center ’ s No Ke Ola Pono o Nā Kāne ( for the good health of men ) project , conducted statewide in Hawai ‘ i to promote health improvements in Native Hawaiian kāne ( men ) through culturally grounded approaches was published in the American Journal of Men ’ s Health .
The study perpetuated Native Hawaiian traditional practices of hale mua ( men ’ s house ) and community hui kūkākūkā ( discussion groups ) to promote healthy behaviors among kāne . The study also emphasized colon cancer prevention strategies such as using the fecal immunochemical test ( FIT ). Trained Native Hawaiian kāne volunteers conducted discussion groups using educational materials to guide sessions .
In partnership with Ke Ola Mamo , O ‘ ahu ’ s Native Hawaiian Health Care System , 378 kāne were recruited into the study from 2014 to 2018 , and 232 participated in the colorectal discussion groups .
“ Early and regular screening for precancerous colon lesions can prevent nearly 90 percent of colon cancers . Our Left to right : Vernon Viernes , Kevin Cassel , DrPH , Mike Ikeda , Ryan Edayan and Jason Kalawe . study results show that introducing FIT to kāne through community hui kūkākūkā may help fight the disease among kāne ,” said Kevin Cassel , DrPH , study principal investigator and UH Cancer Center assistant researcher .
The study highlights that in Hawai ‘ i Native Hawaiians bear disproportionately higher rates of chronic illnesses including diabetes , cardiovascular diseases , obesity and cancer compared to the overall state population . In addition , many Native Hawaiians live in rural communities where health care and recreation services are meager , distant or non-existent .
“ The culturally-based traditions of the hale mua and community hui kūkākūkā can be the foundation to address health disparities among kāne . It is important to continue future studies to explore these culturally-based approaches , and extend group discussion topics addressing health issues relevant to Native Hawaiian men ,” said Nathan Wong , MD , study kauka ( physician ) and UH Cancer Center Native Hawaiian Community Advisory Board member .
Count Me In studies relationship between genes and cancer
Count Me In ( CMI ) was introduced at the UH Cancer
Center ’ s 2019 Quest for a Cure : Progress in Cancer Research event on genetics and cancer by two visiting scientists , Eliezer Van Allen , MD , and Alexander “ Scanner ” Cheung , MBH , with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard .
CMI is a patient-partnered and – empowered non-profit research organization . Its mission is to discover the relationship between genes and cancer . Currently CMI conducts research on angiosarcoma and esophageal , stomach and metastatic breast and metastatic prostate cancers with the future goal of including other cancers .
Van Allen and Cheung emphasized the need for participation by patients of diverse ethnicities to expand global understanding of how genetic differences are related to cancer causation and patients ’ responses to treatments . They expressed hope that Hawai ‘ i residents will join CMI studies because of the state ’ s diverse ethnic population .
To learn more about CMI research visit www . uhcancercenter . org / research / cancer-genetics .
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