American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition Helping the people of American Samoa fight cancer.

Susan Shinigawa is a breast cancer survivor and long time advocate for Asians and Pacific Islanders. Below is a current message from Ms. Shinigawa:

Hi everyone. I'm sure many of you have already received the attached information through your many Pacific Islander collagues and networks, but it never hurts to be reminded about exciting opportunities like this:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today unveiled LEANWorks!, a Website designed to help businesses address obesity.  LEAN stands for Leading Employees to Activity and Nutrition.  The new Website was announced at a National Business Group on Health meeting in Washington, D.C.

The Board of Directors will be having it's monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at Deluxe Cafe. An agenda will follow. Please email asccancercoalition@yahoo.com and/or Va'a at vtofaeono@gmail.com if you have any questions.

My name is Chande Lutu-Drabble, and I was and always will be a Caregiver for my daughter who is a Cancer Survivor. I have just returned home after living over a year in San Diego, where my daughter had undergone treatment for melanoma cancer. When I went up to be with my daughter, I didn’t know what to expect, other than doing things that any mother would normally do; caring for my child and just being there as her companion.

I recall the greatest challenge I had to overcome when I became aware of the condition of my daughter was fear. It was the worst kind of fear—and that is: fear based on ignorance.

Not being knowledgeable enough about cancer fed my fear, which grew almost out of control. As the time came closer for me to leave for the mainland to be with my daughter during her surgeries and treatment, it gripped my soul and was so emotionally frightening that at times, I could barely stand, or breathe, without trembling with anguish for my daughter’s life.

Govenor Togiola Tulafono has signed a proclamation declaring the month of June as Cancer Survivor's Month.

Included in the proclamation were statements recognizing cancer as the second leading cause of death in the Territory, recognition for the work done by the American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition to help our Territory's residents fight cancer through education, assistance and advocacy, and a salute to our Territory's cancer survivors as well as recognition of the number of residents who currently live their daily lives affected directly or indirectly by cancer.

Thank you Governor Togiola for your support and for this proclamation dedicating the month of June to our Territory's Cancer Survivors!

WOMEN'S HEALTH OPPORTUNITY

Come hear what the BUZZ is about  

Dr. Brenda Hernandez from the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii (CRCH) will provide a report back to the community on findings from the recently completed Human Papillomavirus (HPV) study. Women from various age groups were selected to perform a HPV DNA test that will show if the strands of HPV that cause cervical cancer are prevalent in American Samoan women.

Tasi le Ola is the first breast cancer prevention radio drama series produced in American Samoa. The results of 225 surveys and 13 interviews with women age 40+, health care providers, cancer survivors and tradtional Samoan healers were shared with Key Stakeholders who developed 5 health behavior change messages expressed in the drama.