Two local nonprofit groups are joining forces to spread the word to Micronesian women living in Hawai'i about the importance of getting tested for breast and cervical cancer.

"The healthcare providers complain that (Micronesian women) wait until they're almost dying before they visit a doctor," said Nia Aitaoto, a public health provider with Papa Ola Lokahi. "We tell them 'don't wait until you feel the pain.' "

Papa Ola Lokahi, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians and others, is teaming up with Micronesians United, an advocacy group for Micronesians living in Hawai'i, to help change that mindset.

Aitaoto, who is part-Hawaiian and part-Micronesian, last month brought together 18 women from the local Micronesian community for a workshop. There, they got hands-on training as peer outreach workers by healthcare professionals on breast and cervical cancer prevention and detection.

They also were distributed kits that included flip charts — translated into Chuukese, Marshallese, Kosraean and Pohnpeian — describing how cancer attacks a body. They also got "shower cards" showing how women can do self-examinations, Aitaoto said.

There is no statistical data on how Micronesians fare compared with other ethnic groups when it comes to breast and cervical cancer rates, according to JoAnn Tsark, Aitaoto's boss at Papa Ola Lokahi.

The hope is that the project with Micronesians United will help provide some baseline data, said Dani Tomiyasu, the Health Department's chief of the Chronic Diseases Management and Control Branch.

Tsark heads 'Imi Hale, a Papa Ola Lokahi project dedicated to helping raise cancer awareness among the Hawaiian population. "We were right where you were," Tsark told the Micronesians. "Hawaiian women were dying of breast cancer, not surviving. Now, that's changing."

Funding for the Micronesian program was provided by a $20,000 grant from the local chapter of the nonprofit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

After the training, the women fanned out across O'ahu talking with everyone from relatives and church friends to people at bus stops. Last week, the group gathered again to relay their experiences and meet some of the healthcare providers that offer free services to the community.

"We just want to get them through the door," Aitaoto said. "Once they're in the door, there are a lot of people available to help."

The goal, she said, was to reach 400 women. At last week's follow-up meeting, Aitaoto got back cards from 110 Micronesian women who have received the training in the last month alone.

Louana Kassebeer, a case manager for breast and cervical cancer at the Waimanalo Health Center, said she can attest to the difficulty of convincing Micronesian women of the importance of preventive healthcare.

A number of Micronesians visit the center, she said, but few take advantage of free screening for breast or cervical cancer. "Their issues aren't health. It's housing, schools, clothing and a place to live," she said. "Their health is always last on the list, which is not good."

Even when they get to a doctor, Aitaoto said, Micronesian culture dictates they should only listen to what a doctor or healer has to say. "Over here, the doctors ask them questions and they don't say anything."

Merko Route, 66, one of the 18 women from the local Micronesian community who participated in a training workshop last month, said her doctor detected a lump during a routine checkup in 1995. A biopsy showed the growth was not cancerous, but Route learned a valuable lesson about the importance of breast examinations.

Since last month's training, Route has spoken to about 10 women at her church about the need to get examined. "It's really important to go," she said. Her next step is to talk with her neighbors at Kuhio Park Terrace.

Aitaoto said she hopes the alliance being formed by Micronesians United, Papa Ola Lokahi and the Heath Department will continue. After the breast and cervical awareness program is over, she wants to educate the Micronesian community about preventing diabetes.

"This is just the beginning of our adventure," she said.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.