Press Room

The American Cancer Society (ACS) released an update this week on breast cancer occurrence and trends in the United States. While the new report finds mortality rates have dropped by 44% since 1989, not all women have benefited from this progress. The report highlighted a continued upward trend in breast cancer incidence with the steepest increase in women younger than 50 years and Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) women of all ages. The release coincides with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) campaign to connect patients with the right treatment at the right time through increasing access to biomarker testing in Hawaii. 

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) presented Waianae community member Mckayla McCullah with the Young Leader award this week in recognition of her passionate advocacy and commitment to furthering the fight against cancer.

This award is presented to a state volunteer who has demonstrated an exciting promise in their start with ACS CAN by taking advantage of new opportunities to advocate for cancer patients.

Advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) commend the Hawaii State Legislature for the passage of HCR 53 during the 2024 legislative session. The resolution moves Hawaii one step closer to advancing legislation to expand access to the testing needed to connect cancer patients and those battling other diseases to precision treatments through biomarker testing. 

 American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers from across Hawaii met with their legislators at the Hawaii State Capitol Thursday to urge them to support HB1301. If enacted, the policy would enable funding for a multiethnic cohort study by the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the Hawaii Pacific region.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) recognizes and applauds Governor Josh Green for signing HB907 into law, Thursday morning. Once enacted, the legislation will improve access to audio-only telehealth to help ensure cancer patients and survivors have access to the appropriate medical specialists they may need. 

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers from across Hawaii met with their legislators to urge them to fund a multiethnic cohort study by the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the Hawaii Pacific region. 

HONOLULU — Governor Ige vetoed House Bill 1296 today that would have repealed Hawaii’s successful Tobacco Prevention and Control Trust Fund. Following is a statement from Cynthia Au, Hawaii government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network:

On the heels of World No Tobacco Day, leading public health organizations urge Governor Ige to veto House Bill 1296 that would repeal Hawaii's successful tobacco control trust fund and eliminate funding for tobacco prevention and cessation efforts. 

HONOLULU—The Legislature is set to vote Tuesday on House Bill 1296 that would eliminate funding for Hawaii’s tobacco control program, which has dramatically reduced smoking rates and health care costs for more than two decades.

HONOLULU—The Senate will have its final vote tomorrow, Tuesday, April 13, on House Bill 1296 that would dismantle Hawaii’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Trust Fund, which has significantly reduced smoking rates for more than two decades.