A cancer diagnosis can be a frightening thing. Fortunately, you don't have to travel far from home to get exceptional cancer care that follows the same approach and best-practice protocols as major cancer centers on the mainland—including innovative clinical trials.
Maui Health's team offers exceptional cancer diagnostics and care with excellent outcomes, right here where you and your family live. We offer a wide range of services, including genetic testing and counseling, surgery, and chemotherapy.
Reviewed 9/7/2022
Cancer prevention: Myth or fact?
About one in every five deaths in the U.S. is caused by cancer, making it the second leading cause of death. That's why it's important to learn what does—and what doesn't—help protect you from cancer. How much do you know about cancer prevention?
Myth or fact: Organic produce is more protective against cancer than regularly grown produce.
Myth. There's no good scientific evidence that eating organic fruits and vegetables provides greater protection against cancer than eating conventionally grown produce. However, you can reduce your risk for several kinds of cancers by eating a wide variety of plant-based foods.
Myth or fact: You can lower your risk for cancer by keeping yourself at a healthy weight.
Fact. Excess body fat increases your cancer risk. Studies have suggested that being overweight and obese are linked to a higher risk for at least 13 different types of cancer. It's been estimated that more than 360 cases of cancer in the U.S. could be prevented every day if everybody was at a healthy weight.
Myth or fact: You're less likely to get cancer if you take a daily multivitamin.
Myth. There is no good scientific evidence that supports this idea. Researchers are currently investigating whether certain vitamins—like vitamin D—could help prevent cancer. However, at least one vitamin—vitamin E—may increase the risk of prostate cancer when taken alone.
Myth or fact: Eating sugar does not cause cancer to get worse.
Fact. No studies have found that eating sugar will make cancer worse. There also is no evidence that adopting a sugarless diet will make cancer go away. However, eating a lot of sugar can cause you to become overweight—and that may increase your cancer risk.
Myth or fact: You should avoid wearing antiperspirants because they've been linked to breast cancer.
Myth. While there are concerns that aluminum and parabens in antiperspirants and deodorants may be absorbed by the skin and contribute to breast cancer, no studies have demonstrated a conclusive link.
Myth or fact: Vaccines can help protect you against cancer.
Fact. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine can help reduce your risk for liver cancer.
Staying current with recommended screening tests is another good way you can help protect yourself against cancer. Ask your doctor what screenings you might be due for.
Learn more about cancer prevention
Sources: American Cancer Society; American Institute for Cancer Research; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute
Fast and convenient appointments
When you find out you have cancer, you don't want to wait weeks or months to see a specialist. Our surgical oncologist is available to see newly diagnosed patients within a week of a referral—and often as soon as the next day. Please coordinate with your primary care physician for a referral.
Patients can also arrange telehealth visits for remote consultations.
Cancer surgery
Our surgical oncology team specializes in the management of complex cancers, including:
- Bile duct cancer.
- Breast cancer.
- Colon and rectal cancers. We have the ability to perform anal-preserving operations on patients with low rectal cancer who would otherwise require a colostomy.
- Liver cancer. Ours is one of a few select cancer centers to offer microwave ablation of liver tumors.
- Melanoma and other skin cancers.
- Pancreatic cancer.
- Parathyroid tumors and other endocrine cancers.
- Stomach and esophageal cancer.
- Thyroid cancer.
Cancer surgeries are offered primarily at Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC). However, surgical oncology consultations, telehealth communications and remote consultations can occur at any of Maui Health's sites, including at Lanai Community Hospital and Kula Clinic.
We follow the "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)" program, which allows our patients to minimize the use of narcotic pain medicine after surgery and recover from operations more quickly with fewer complications.
Chemotherapy infusion services
Our chemotherapy infusion center is located at MMMC. This service is available by referral from a provider. The center is designed to make treatment as comfortable as possible, with 10 recliner chairs and two private rooms.
We offer treatments for cancer and hematology conditions (blood disorders). Specific services and procedures we provide include:
- Chemotherapy.
- Biotherapy.
- Therapeutic phlebotomy.
- Hydration.
- Shots.
- Port flushes.
- Port lab draws.
All the nurses at the infusion center are certified in chemotherapy and biotherapy. We also have several oncology certified nurses as well as a certified hospice and palliative care nurse.