PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 37 NO 10 MARCH 3 – MARCH 9, 2018
FREE
36 YEARS YOUR VOICE
“We don’t like to Don’t let colon cancer talk about death” be a silent killer Many people have a fear or feel embarrassed when it comes to colonoscopies. It’s not the most pleasant thing to talk about, but after experiencing a family member go through colon cancer, it’s something that people need to talk about. Colon cancer usually develops from polyps, which are small, non-cancerous clumps of cells. These polyps grow slowly over time and if not removed, they become malignant tumors. My mother has been battling stage 4 colon cancer for the past few years and that prompted me to be proactive about my own health this past winter.
Breaking the social stigma
I had done research and called a couple of providers to get quotes because unfortunately, my health insurance plan didn’t cover colonoscopies, even if cancer runs in the family. Of course, colonoscopies aren’t cheap and if you’re not 50 yet, you have to pay out of pocket. The procedure could range from $2,500 to $4,000 with anesthesia, and it could be even more depending on what they find during the procedure. Nevertheless, I had planned to visit my mom who is still bravely undergoing chemotherapy in Taipei.
Photo provided by Nina Huang
AARP VP on end-of-life care, and cultural taboos
By Nina Huang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Nina Huang and Mom
I decided to schedule a colonoscopy while I would be there. It was a painless procedure overall. In the few days before the procedure, I had to limit my food and drink intake to soft foods, like white bread, egg whites, jello, and clear broths. The day before, I drank a laxative powder combined with water – it tasted like artificial lemon flavoring. I chugged water after that and so began the cleanse. My evening consisted of multiple trips to the bathroom see COLON CANCER on 15
Daphne Kwok
By Carolyn Bick NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Every now and then, Daphne Kwok’s parents will drop hints about what they want, should they become unable to take care of themselves. But it’s never direct, and it’s almost always casual. “It is an ongoing conversation, and ongoing dialogue. I would say that sometimes, it’s a little more direct, but still, being very Asian … we are still sort of talking about it in indirect ways,” Kwok said. Yet this sort of indirect talk isn’t unusual, when it comes to talking about aging and end of life care in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, Kwok said. It’s only because of her work with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) that Kwok and her siblings even broached these issues with their parents. Kwok works as the Vice President of Multicultural
Markets and Engagement for AARP. Appointed in 2013, she’s the highest-ranking Asian American at the organization. While Kwok has a long history of working for the betterment of the AAPI community, her current position at AARP has brought a different dynamic to her life. She credits the organization with giving her the tools to sit down with her parents to talk about end-of-life arrangements, health, and other matters. “We Asian Americans, we don’t like to talk about death, dying, money, health, love — these are all issues that AARP actually addresses,” Kwok said. “We actually have an AAPIspecific website — just to be able to get that information, and be educated.” Conversations around aging and death are especially important in AAPI families in which older generations don’t speak English. About two-thirds see KWOK on 13
PAVING NOTICE
Wellness starts with relationships By Irfan Shariff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Wellness starts with having a relationship with a primary care provider (PCP), said Dr. Mark Maddox of MultiCare Connected Care (MCC), an accountable care Dr. Mark Maddox organization (ACO) based in Tacoma, Wash. In addition to designating a PCP, Maddox said that annual evaluations, developing a preventive plan that includes regular and special screenings, immunizations, and conversations around personal risk factors are key to maintaining wellness. With a PCP, “You have someone to fall back on… if you don’t, it can result in urgent care,” Maddox said, which can create fragmented care. “That is a real challenge.” Maddox has a clinical background as a colorectal
Maynard Ave S from S Dearborn St to S King St
CHINATOWN THIS HEALTH ISSUE SPONSORED BYMaynard Ave and S King St from S to 7th Ave SSTREET PAVING » see 3 Mon. February 26 to Fri. March 2, 7AM – 4PM • SDOT will grind off the top two inches of pavement and repave the street.
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surgeon, but for the last decade has focused on the population health space and working with ACOs. An ACO is a group of hospitals, doctors, and health care providers that come together to give coordinated care to specific populations, like Medicare patients. Michael McKee Organizations like MCC, a wholly independent business established by MultiCare Health System in 2014, focus on the triple aim of healthcare — improving the patient experience, improving the health of communities, and reducing the cost of care. MCC and doctors like Maddox sometimes add a fourth aim: improving provider satisfaction. Similarly, Michael McKee, who oversees the health education and community advocacy programs see MULTICARE on 13
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*Weather permitting
• All lanes of each impacted block and intersection are closed during working hours. o Each block and intersection is closed for only two work days. o Local access is maintained, but you may have to wait 15 minutes. • On-street parking is restricted during working hours. 72 hours before work starts “NO PARKING” signs will be placed along the impacted streets. • Detour signs will guide people
driving. 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com • Sidewalks remain open.
Paving makes the streets smoother and more comfortable to use and support the future S King St Neighborhood Greenway. Greenways make streets safer and calmer for everyone.
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/greenways-program/s-king-street-(中文)