American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition Ua o gatasi le futia me le umele.

The American Samoa Community Cancer Network (ASCCN) is a Community Networks Program (CNP) and funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).  CNP's are designed to reach communities and populations that experience a disproportionate share of the cancer burden: African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Hawaiian Natives and other Pacific Islanders, Asians, Hispanics/Latinos, and underserved rural populations. The overall goal of the program is to significantly improve access to - and utilization of - beneficial cancer interventions and treatments in communities experiencing cancer health disparities in order to reduce these disparities.

Research on cancer health disparities has shown that there are several reasons for these disparities, including lack of access (e.g., financial and transportation barriers), lack of resources, inadequate health care, and in some cases, a lack of cultural competence on the part of health care providers who do not know how to communicate effectively with various population groups. Inadequate cancer education and information, such as a lack of culturally appropriate information, can also contribute to disparities.

1. The American Samoa Community Cancer Network (ASCCN) aims to reduce cancer incidence and mortality in the U.S. Territory of American Samoa. The ASCCN will work toward this goal by:
   • promoting cancer awareness within American Samoan communities; and
   • initiating a cancer research and training program to develop indigenous Samoan researchers.
2. ASCCN will provide support systems and expertise to increase the number of research grants addressing cancer in American Samoa and establish a culturally appropriate process to support scientifically rigorous research that is respectful of American Samoan cultural beliefs, practices, and customs.
3. This collaboration among three agencies-the Lyndon Baines Johnson Tropical Medical Center1, American Samoa Community College, and American Samoa Department of Health-provides a forum to address the disproportionate cancer burden on American Samoans and their need for self-determination and control of their own health.