Abstract PR011: Exploring factors influencing preventive cancer screenings for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults in Hawaiʻi
Authors: Willingham Mark L. , Cassel Kevin D. , Sy Angela , Taafaki Munirih , Diaz Tressa P. , Mummert Angelina G. , Zhang Wei 
Published: December 2023

Background: This study aims to investigate cancer-related knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs among Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians in Hawaiʻi by examining social factors that influence healthcare utilization behaviors for cancer screenings. The National Cancer Institute developed the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) to collect national data about the use of cancer-related information, access, as well as changing patterns and communications trends regarding health practices. However, HINTS data are not sufficient to address historically excluded demographic subpopulations as each year, an average of 7,393 Hawai‘i residents are diagnosed with invasive cancer and rates are disproportionate ethnically. Methods: We administered a cross-sectional survey during 2017-2018 to Native Hawaiians, Chuukese, and Marshallese in Hawaiʻi using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) to recruit these geographically hard-to-reach groups. The modified HINTS survey included questions about cancer knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, social interactions, and cultural practices. A total of 515 Native Hawaiians, 305 Chuukese, and 180 Marshallese completed the survey. Differences were found across a variety of cancer and health-related attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors.  The Gelberg and Anderson (2000) Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations and biculturalism guided the theoretical and conceptual models for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used adjusting for age, income, health insurance, and occupational status, to measure social constructs of interest and their interaction with colorectal, pap test, and mammography cancer screenings. To triangulate these findings, key thematic analyses were included from thirteen interviews with adults living within the communities first surveyed. Results:  Significant multivariable influences on not having a pap test included never being married (P=.004) and having no health insurance (P&lt;.0001); while influences over having a pap test included a high ethnic identity (P=.001). Significant influences over not having a mammogram included never being married (P=.04), having no health insurance (P&lt;.0001), and not currently employed (P=.009). Significant influences on never having a test for colon cancer included being semi-religious (P=.0001), having no health insurance (P=.005), and not being able to rely on physicians (P=.02). Key findings relating to cancer screenings from the interviews included fear of finding out, lack of language assistance, limited discussion within social circles relating to health and cancer practices, and a belief in a higher intervening power. Conclusion: Cancer prevention education and culturally tailored programs are greatly needed for Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiians in Hawaiʻi. This study provides insight into influences, both positive and negative, on cancer screenings for these communities and areas for future cancer prevention/intervention efforts.

Citation Format: Mark L. Willingham Jr., Kevin D. Cassel, Angela Sy, Munirih Taafaki, Tressa P. Diaz, Angelina G. Mummert, Wei Zhang. Exploring factors influencing preventive cancer screenings for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults in Hawaiʻi [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PR011.