Samoan Women in Hawaii Breast cancer is second to respiratory cancers among Samoans. Diagnosis is at younger ages than the average Americans.
Diagnosis is often at advanced stages.
A recent study showed that the women felt diagnosis equalled death and that there was nothing to be done. The suggestion was made that healthcare services should explain that treatment was important and could enable the women to continue taking care of their families. Cultural sensitivy is urged. In common with women of many cultures, they need to know that breast examination is not sexual but medical and that privacy would be respected. Samoan women were interested in traditional medicine as well as conventional Western therapies.