Arnold Waine
University of Papua New Guinea, USA
Title: A literature review on breast cancer epidemics in the pacific islanders and the cancer care services in the region
Biography
Biography: Arnold Waine
Abstract
Introduction: The changing trend of cancer pattern observed during the last ten years amongst Pacific Island women is alarming with respect to community dynamics, public health epidemics and policies.
Breast cancer is now recorded as the second most common incidence of cancer in women after cervical cancer and is one of the top five causes of mortality in the region. Women in the Pacific islands are usually young and present with advanced breast cancer to the hospitals compared with women of the Pacific Islands living in Australia and New Zealand.
Methods/Results: Literature search and reviews for cancer registry and epidemiological findings for major island nations were done. Countries included are Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Island, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, New Caledonia, Cook Islands and French Polynesia. However, New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii (USA) are excluded due to their high Socio- economic status and their different health policies. Records were further assessed from PubMed searches, and epidemiological description from the International Agency for Cancer Research databases. Extracts from individual national health department records, regional health meetings and synopsis from Pacific Island Surgeons Association meetings were also assessed.