Newer versions of oral contraceptives -- with lower levels of estrogen and progestin -- reduce the risk of ovarian cancer more than older concoctions of birth control pills

Researchers at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, whose work is published in the Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, say birth control pills have long decreased the risk of ovarian cancer. But over the years, doses of hormones in these pills have been decreased to reduce side effects -- and this seems to have an even stronger protective effect against the disease.

Studies show for women who had used any oral contraceptive a 50 percent reduction in risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to women who had never taken the pills. This risk was reduced by 38 percent
for women who took high estrogen and high progestin pills and by 81 percent for those taking pills with low levels of these hormones.

"Up to 42 percent of ovarian cancers might have been avoided if all women used some form of combined oral contraceptive pills," say researchers.

"An estimated 73 percent of ovarian cancers might have been avoided if all women used oral contraceptive pill formulation of low estrogen and low progestin."

Cancer is the top killer of Hawaii residents, according to the state Department of Health. Heart disease -- once the leading cause of death in this state -- is now a close second.

Cancer and heart disease together killed half of the 8,988 residents who died last year in Hawaii. While heart disease took the lives of 1,258 males and 996 females, cancer claimed 1,177 males and 959 females. Cancer is the leading killer of Hawaii residents ages 45 to 84. Lung cancer is by far the most lethal form of cancer in Hawaii.

Car crashes -- 11th on the list of leading causes of death -- dominate headlines in Hawaii when it comes to fatalities. But cancer, sadly, is to blame for taking the most lives.

When the First Lady of Surfing, Rell Sunn was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32, she was told she had months to live. She lived each day as if it were her last -- with complete passion and compassion -- and lived another 15 years.

When I posted that each year during the Luau & Longboard Invitational event to raise money for the Moores UC San Diego Cancer Center, the Rell Sunn-Queen of Makaha Award in memory of Rell Sunn is given to honor the person or organization that best displays the qualities of compassion, unselfishness, aloha spirit and dedication in the fight against cancer -- I went in search to learn more about Rell Sunn.

I am wandering through the BC Cancer Foundation website to post on the upcoming Weekend to End Breast Cancer and I noticed The Underwear Affair annual fundraiser. Is it just me that has taken notice, but do some organizations just know how to make fundraising more fun than other organizations? You can ask people to donate money, but so many charities are asking for donations, and while each is a good cause, there is a certain burn-out factor and charity fatigue that can set in when people are constantly solicited for money. Why not offer an event that is unique and fun to participate in and age-related -- like The Underwear Affair, or a service in exchange for a donation like the college kids do in Odd Jobs Humanitarians?

The Underwear Affair was launched this year, and in the first year they raised over $500,000 for below the waist cancers -- that according to the organizers of this event state -- are the embarrassing to talk about cancers -- prostate, colorectal, ovarian, testicular, bladder, cervical, and uterine cancers. The Underwear Affair hosted a 10K Run/5K Walk, followed by live bands, DJs and a dance, pole dance lessons and the bedtime EXPOsed afterparty. A contest was held for the best underwear costumes at the party, drawings for two new Vespas and a trip for two to Honolulu, Hawaii.

What do you wear to The Underwear Affair 10K Run/5K Walk and EXPOsed afterparty? Well, you can wear whatever makes you comfortable -- which might be exercise clothing. But you are encouraged to have fun, and the event planners suggest anything from trashy lingerie to your favorite well-worn plaid robe. That's the point. The encouragement of fun in raising money for cancer research into cancers below the waist and using frivolity to destigmatize cancers that embarrass some people. Hats off to The Underwear Affair!

In a curiosity about Dole Food owner David H. Murdock's quest to help people live better longer, I visited the Dole Food website. When you first arrive you will be greeted by the slogan The Dawn of the Nutrition Age. When it comes to food and nutrition, this is a comprehensive resource of internet destination. In the Healthy Recipes area, you can find 30 Minute Meals, BBQ & Grilling, Fruit Salads, Fun Kid Snacks, Holiday Entertaining, Less than 5 Ingredients meals, Main Dish Salads, Pizzas, Quick Breads and Tastes Like Chicken. There is a Glossary, Conversion Table, The Benefits of Getting Steamed, Healthy Snacks, and Put the Squeeze on Added Calories. The Art of the Meal included instructions on how to create simple works of art with food.

Dole Nutrition News is a bi-monthly online newsletter featuring information and news on diet, fitness, nutrition and natural beauty available free to interested readers.

The University of Hawaii is going to get a state-of-the-art cancer research center and world-class biomedical research park -- with funding from a new tobacco tax. The developers plan to break ground for the new Cancer Research Center in Kakaako early next year. Ultimately, the tobacco tax will increase a pack of cigarettes by $1.20 per pack. About a third of the money from the new tax revenue will build the $200 million dollar center. While the center is not expected to be completed until 2009, they plan to begin recruitment of new faculty this year. It's wonderful that island residents will be getting a much needed medical facility. However, I was surprised when I read about the funding side to this project -- I did not realize there was that much profit in cigarette tax that only a third of the revenue from the new tax will be needed to build such an expensive medical center.

An 18-month-old girl lost her hand in a freak accident on Saturday. The little girl and her family were visiting the Menehune Mac Factory Gift Center in Honolulu when the toddler's hand somehow became caught in a conveyor belt.  Employees were able to secure the girl's arm and place the severed hand in a bag of ice in case the hand could be reattached. Once firefighters arrived, the girl was taken to an area hospital where her medical condition has not been released.

The baby and her family were attending the Fifth Annual Mother's Day Candy Making Event, a fundraiser for the Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation. Workers at the company had hopes for a fun filled afternoon for the families, and they felt absolutely awful about the bizarre accident. After the accident, chocolate factory workers were able to sanitize the factory and resume candy production in another area of the building.