Presentation description

This summer, I have had the opportunity to intern with Mary Playdon at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The current study we're working on targets Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (NHPI) individuals. Research has shown that Pacific Islanders has shown a higher risk of developing cancer compared to other ethnicities. Specifically endometrial cancer within women of the NHPI community. "A major risk factor for cancer is metabolic health, including blood sugars and cholesterol." Finding ways to reduce risk factors within the NHPI community is urgent and necessary. The study I have been helping with, prioritizes timed eating, nutritional knowledge, and a better understanding of how to stay healthy within a culture where food is highly valued. I have been in charge of gathering authentic Polynesian recipes that are common in the culture. Once we have all the recipes, our goal is to go into each individual recipe and substitute things that aren't as healthy, (like soy sauce, which is commonly used in recipes) to things that are healthier to still maintain the food to taste the same. The ultimate goal of this study is to build engagement within the NHPI community that allows us to culturally test dietary strategies for cancer prevention early on. Throughout our study we will be continuously in contact with the participants and their families. We plan to do things like have check in's every 2 weeks, collect blood samples, blood pressure etc that will be used to measure things like glucose, insulin, lipids, body weight and so on. By the end of the study, we hope to gather feedback of how to improve for the next study that will help NHPI's have a better understanding and knowledge.