The Cancer Information Service of Hawaii is joining 14 regional offices nationally in a 25th anniversary celebration Tuesday. Isle cancer agencies join
to tout successesStar-Bulletin staff
"Celebrating Our Spirit of Caring and Commitment" is the theme.
The Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, 1236 Lauhala Street, will host a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday. Agencies and persons who have collaborated with the information service to control cancer will be recognized.
The CIS partners include health and community organizations, health professionals and behavioral science researchers.
Program coordinators in the partnership, operating from the Cancer Research Center and Kauai Community College, provide science-based information to help people participate in their own health care.
The National Cancer Institute established the Cancer Information Service to apply cancer treatment innovations more quickly to patients.
It was taking about five years to get research to patients in 1976. The CIS now is the nation's chief source of cancer information.
Known here as the Cancer Information Line, it not only accelerates use of research findings, but informs the public about the latest research on cancer through a toll free number, 1-800-4-CANCER.
"The Cancer Information Service has always been an invaluable part of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii," said Dr. Carl-Wilhelm Vogel, center director.
"The Center relies on the CIS to serve as the bridge between researchers and the community."
Vogel said the CIS of Hawaii "imparts a unique ability to translate scientific discovery into practical language and applications."
A partner in breast cancer projects, Dr. Nathaniel Ching, medical director of Mountain-Pacific Quality Health Foundation, said, "The CIS has provided us with unlimited resources and expertise that have enhanced our work.
"Together we hope to educate the population about the benefits of mammograms and breast self-exams in our fight against this deadly disease."
Rick Carmichael, chair of the Kauai Community College Health Education Division, said the partnership with CIS "will strengthen the college's as well as overall community efforts in bringing timely health information to our residents."