Cancer is the first leading cause of death for Native Hawaiian women. More specifically, of the five major ethnic groups, Native Hawaiian women have the highest incidence of cervical cancer and the highest incidence and mortality rate for breast cancer in Hawai’i. Early detection is essential to improving these statistics within the Native Hawaiian population.
Race To Heal, a grass-roots project led by Kamehameha Schools alumnus Dr. Clayton Chong, seeks to use the culturally central sport of Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling as a means to increase cancer awareness within the Hawaiian community. Four women will race in the upcoming one-man outrigger canoe season on pink canoes and have a presence at various community events in order to achieve this goal.
Race To Heal also aims to promote and increase participation in The Queens Medical Center’s Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP), a federally funded program that offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings to low-income, un- and under-insured women who qualify. In addition, if a woman is diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program, their entire course of treatment is paid for.
For more information on the BCCCP’s eligibility requirements, please visit The Queens Women’s Health Center or call Michelle Ka’aihue at 537-7726. You can also find information at the Department of Health’s website www.hawaii.gov/health
