Cancer research studies in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders

PURPOSE: To review and assess published findings from relevant cancer resea rch studies in Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders and to develop strategies for designing and implementing successful cancer research studie s in the future. METHODS: Data were collected primarily from MEDLINE and BIOSIS Preview sear ches of the English literature during a 30-year period for published report s of cancer surveillance studies and epidemiological and clinical cancer st udies in the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations. The cancer b urden was critically assessed in the retrieved citations for each of the in digenous groups from Hawai'i, American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Nor thern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, a nd the Republic of the Marshall Islands. RESULTS: A review of the published literature revealed a lack of systematic data collection on cancer incidence and mortality in Pacific islanders. Wi de variations were found regarding the status of cancer research among ethn ic groups. It is estimated that Native Hawaiians represent 0.1% of subjects accrued to cancer prevention trials, and that Pacific Islanders represent 0.5% of subjects in a large cancer screening trial. CONCLUSION: The paucity of cancer data and clinical cancer research support s the need for increased attention to these indigenous populations to impro ve the quality of cancer care in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island communi ties. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc All rights reserved.