‘Quest for a Cure’ event to focus on liver cancer awareness

Maui County residents can participate online in a Sept. 18 University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center “Quest for a Cure” event to raise awareness about liver cancer.

Liver cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Hawaiʻi, disproportionately affecting Native Hawaiian, Filipino and Japanese men. As tumors spread to healthy parts of the liver, patients often experience rapid health decline, leading to liver failure and death.

The free symposium will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Cancer Center’s Sullivan Conference Room. Register to attend in person or online until Sept. 13. 

During the event, experts discuss the prevalence of liver cancer in Hawaiʻi, common symptoms and available treatments, including surgery, locoregional therapies, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation. Attendees will also hear about groundbreaking research being conducted at the UH Cancer Center, as well as the inspiring personal journey of a liver cancer survivor.

Featured speakers include:

• Jared Acoba, associate researcher at the UH Cancer Center and medical oncologist/director of research at The Queen’s Medical Center Cancer Center
• Linda Wong, associate member of the UH Cancer Center and surgical oncologist/director of the liver transplant program at The Queen’s Medical Center
• Brenda Hernandez, researcher at the UH Cancer Center (moderator)
• Francis Robies, liver cancer survivor

The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center is dedicated to conquering cancer, inspiring hope, and saving lives in Hawai‘i and the Pacific. It strives to do this through research, education, patient care and community outreach, with an emphasis on the diverse and unique ethnic, cultural and environmental characteristics of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

The UH Cancer Center adds more than $57 million to the Oʻahu economy through scientific research, clinical trials and numerous other activities. It is one of only 72 cancer-research institutions designated by the National Cancer Institute, a mark of rigor and excellence, and the only NCI-designated cancer center in Hawai‘i and the Pacific.