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September 27, 2002
For the month of October 2002, The Department of Health’s
Hawai`i State Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) will
sponsor a radio program titled, "Marshallese in Hawai`i" with a focus
on breast and cervical cancer awareness. The program will air on
Tuesdays from 10:30 -11:00 p.m. on KNDI 1270AM in the Marshallese
language.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Every year, one
out of eight women in America are stricken with breast cancer. In
Hawaii, Native Hawaiian, Filipino and Asia Pacific Islander Islanders
such as Marshallese are at higher risk for breast cancer. As with any
cancer, early detection is the key to successful treatment.
The people of the Marshall Islands are one of the largest groups
from the South Pacific that are migrating and immigrating to Hawai`i
for healthcare. Unfortunately, many are not aware of the free services
such as cancer screenings that are now available to them. Reaching this
culture with effective health messages is also a challenge.
Radio has appeared to be an effective outreach for families and
individuals coming from the Marshall Islands and Micronesia; the
culture is "auditory" and enjoys listening to the radio. The radio
program will not only focus on health messages of breast and cervical
cancer, but will include native island music, news, and announcement of
services throughout the state for free mammograms, breast exams, and
pap smears.
Della Wase Nakamoto, a native Marshallese residing on Maui, will be
hosting the radio program every Tuesday in October from 10:30 -11:00
p.m. on KNDI 1270AM in the Marshallese language. Nakamoto has been very
instrumental in helping Hui No Ke Ola Pono, a private non-profit
community-based health enhancement organization, outreach to
Marshallese women through churches and other venues for breast and
cervical cancer awareness in Maui communities. Nakamoto is president of
the Maui Business & Professional Women’s Organization, and
works as an account coordinator at Bishop Insurance Agency.
For more information on the Department of Health's Breast and
Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP), call Lulu Bagnol at 692-7469
or email her at labagnol@mail.health.state.hi.us
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