Eyes on the Pacific: Cancer Issues of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in Hawai`i and the US-Associated Pacific

Abstract

Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders suffer disproportionately from cancer. These groups are more likely than other ethnic groups in the US to be diagnosed at late stages of disease and to die from cancer. They also are less likely to be up-to-date with cancer screening, and they are more likely to engage in lifestyle practices that increase their risk of cancer, eg, they are more likely to be overweight and less likely to engage in physical activity than many other ethnic groups. 1–6 Although some generalizations can be made about Pacific Islanders in comparison to Caucasians, there are also differences among Pacific Islander groups. For this discussion, we distinguish Native Hawaiians in Hawai'i from other Pacific Islanders in Hawai'i and Pacific Islanders in the US-affiliated Pacific Island Jurisdictions (which include American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia [FSM], Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islandbbs [RMI], and Republic of Belau).