However, many cancers can be cured if detected and treated promptly, others can be prevented by lifestyle changes, and others can be controlled for many years with appropriate treatment. For every 1,000 people in Hawaii, 6.9 will be diagnosed with cancer. While cancer can occur at any age, it kills more children ages 1-14 than any other disease. It occurs more frequently with advancing age and is the second leading cause of death after heart disease. There are differences in the incidence of cancer for both gender as well as ethnicity.
Leukemias are the leading malignancies among children.
The HTR is a population based, multiple ascertainment source, active surveillance system serving all of Hawaii. HTR staff consists of field and office based employees. The HTR staff gathers data from 10 other hospitals in addition to cases from clinics, labs and private physicians. About 135 pieces of data are collected at initial diagnosis and patient cases are followed annually during their lifetime. Patient follow-up continues throughout each individual's lifetime.