The University of Hawaii Cancer Center (UH Cancer Center) currently conducts more than 100 cancer research projects. The story of the center’s creation began at a much smaller scale, but was borne out of an urgent need.
According to the center, as far back as 1939, cancer was identified as the leading cause of death in Hawaii. In 1948, the Hawaii Cancer Society (later known as the American Cancer Society, Hawaii Pacific Division) was formed.
Then in the late 1960s, the seeds were planted for what would grow into the UH Cancer Center. The university dedicated the Hawaii Cancer Research Laboratory within the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, which expanded to become the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii in 1971.
An early photo from the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii.
The center purchased and installed its first X-ray simulator machine at The Queen’s Medical Center and brought in the first radiation physicist in the state to take charge of the machine’s operations. Federal funding from the National Cancer Institute and other sources started flowing in.
And it wasn’t long before unique aspects of cancer research started to emerge. Kevin Cassel, DrPH, assistant professor at the UH Cancer Center in the Population Sciences in the Pacific program, joined the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii in 1995. “One thing that really stood out when I first got here,” he says, “was our nutritional epidemiology and the clear understanding of the role of diet and cancer risk and how adoption of Western dietary patterns has increased our risk for certain types of cancers.”
A key milestone — a transition of sorts — came in 2011, when the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii changed its logo and its name to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.
“It was a rebranding to distinguish ourselves as a unique cancer center here in the Pacific,” Cassel says. “We wanted to have a more up-to-date, modernized brand.”
It also took the word research out of the name to show that the center does so much more.
“The word ‘research’ pigeonholed us a little bit into just being considered as a research entity,” he says. “A part of our mission was to extend the reach and our outreach team, which we still do today, to address population-based health promotion and cancer prevention, not only here in Hawaii, but throughout the Pacific and beyond just the scope of research.”
The UH Cancer Center has been in its current location in Kakaako since opening its stand-alone six-story complex in 2013. Funding for the building and operation of the center started coming in through a state tobacco tax increase in 2006. Numerous local partners help provide ongoing funding and support.
An aerial view of the facility in Kakaako.
The UH Cancer Center is one of the National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Centers, so the work is shared nationally and globally with other cancer centers. Also, it’s one of only 72 NCI-designated cancer centers, a mark of rigor and excellence. “One of the things that I noticed over time is that we have a lot more effective and curative treatments for many types of cancers that we didn't have back when I first started,” Cassel says. “There have been some really progressive therapeutic strategies that have been highly effective in extending life expectancy for people who are diagnosed. In addition to that, we have really good strategies for reducing risk for people who are or may be susceptible to cancers from their behaviors.”
Recently, the center celebrated the renewal of its status as a National Cancer Institute. The designation, which is for five years, is only given to the top 4% of cancer centers. “Receiving the maximum designation and our best score in 10 years validates the critical work our faculty researchers are doing to save lives in Hawaii and the Pacific,” says Naoto T. Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., who is director of the center. “This recognition affirms not only our groundbreaking research into cancer’s causes, prevention, and treatments, but also our unique focus on serving underrepresented communities in Hawaii and the Pacific, who often face significant disparities in cancer risk, patient care, and health outcomes.”
The UH Cancer Center celebrating its five-year designation by the National Cancer Institute.
The UH Cancer Center’s mission is saving lives in Hawaii and the Pacific. The center invites the public to participate in studies and benefit from clinical trial treatments. The center also organizes events throughout the year that serve cancer patients and survivors, families, caregivers, and health care providers. To learn more, visit their website or call 808-586-2979.
Read about Dr. Ueno. who is also a two-time cancer survivor. and his goals and plans for the future of the center in the fall 2024 issue of Island Scene.
Learn more
Cancer comes in many forms. It’s important to know your risk factors and take preventative measures when possible. Here are some stories about cancer screening and resources:
- a partnership for lung cancer screening awareness
- billy v’s battle with colon cancer
- breast cancer awareness month
- cervical cancer q&a
- eliminating colorectal cancer
- lung screenings save lives
- skin cancer self-screening guide
- testicular cancer: common in young men
- uh studies colon cancer education
Photos courtesy UH Cancer Center
