Cancer is a significant public health issue in Hawaii, standing as the leading cause of death among its residents. The most recent data from the Hawaii Tumor Registry reveals that, on average, 7,010 Hawaii residents are newly diagnosed with invasive cancer each year, with 2,347 individuals succumbing to the disease. Furthermore, there are over 62,000 cancer survivors in the state.
Nevertheless, the cancer burden is not uniform across all counties and ethnic groups in Hawaii. The Hawaii Tumor Registry’s recently released report, “Hawaii Cancer at a Glance, 2012-2016,” delves into the disparities in cancer incidence and mortality by county and among various racial and ethnic groups, unearthing noteworthy trends and disparities in cancer rates in Hawaii.
Honolulu County has the highest cancer rates in Hawaii
The report underscores that Honolulu County, encompassing the city of Honolulu and Oahu, boasts the highest cancer rates in Hawaii. Honolulu County exhibits an age-adjusted cancer incidence rate of 413.9 per 100,000 population, significantly surpassing the state average of 394.5 per 100,000. Furthermore, it records the highest cancer mortality rate at 144.8 per 100,000 population, slightly exceeding the state average of 142.9 per 100,000.
The most prevalent cancers in Honolulu County include breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and thyroid cancers, accounting for more than half of all new cancer cases and fatalities in the county. Additionally, this county exhibits the highest rates of melanoma, bladder, and kidney cancers in the state.
Ethnic disparities in cancer rates are evident in Hawaii
Hawaii’s diversity, in both geography and demographics, presents disparities in cancer risk and outcomes across various racial and ethnic groups. With no ethnic majority and a high proportion of individuals identifying as of mixed-race ethnicity, Hawaii is distinct in its makeup.
The report illustrates that some ethnic groups face higher cancer rates compared to others in Hawaii. Filipinos and Native Hawaiians, for instance, have the highest incidence of lung cancer, while thyroid cancer is most prevalent among Filipino women. Native Hawaiian men and whites have the highest incidence and mortality rates of liver cancer and melanoma, respectively.
Ethnic differences also manifest in cancer screening and survival rates. For example, Native Hawaiian and Filipino women have lower rates of mammography screening, potentially contributing to their higher rates of late-stage breast cancer diagnoses. Native Hawaiian and Filipino men exhibit lower rates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, which may explain their higher rates of advanced prostate cancer. Furthermore, Native Hawaiian and Filipino cancer patients tend to have lower five-year relative survival rates than white and Japanese patients for most cancer types.
Conclusion
Cancer’s impact varies across different populations, and the Hawaii Tumor Registry’s report furnishes valuable insights into the current state of cancer in Hawaii, highlighting disparities that require attention. It also serves as a crucial resource for cancer research and public health initiatives in both the state and the nation.
The University of Hawaii Cancer Center, which oversees the Hawaii Tumor Registry, is devoted to mitigating the cancer burden in Hawaii and the Pacific region through research, education, and outreach. The center focuses on cutting-edge research in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship, specifically tailored to the diverse populations in Hawaii and the Pacific.
Collaborating with community partners and stakeholders, the center endeavors to implement evidence-based interventions and policies aimed at enhancing cancer outcomes and reducing disparities in the region.a