Volunteer advocates, including cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers from across Hawaii convened at the state capitol Tuesday for ‘Cancer Action Day,’ an event hosted annually by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). During meetings with lawmakers, volunteers expressed desire for leaders to support policies that aim to end the cancer burden in Hawaii, including access to care and early detection initiatives.
Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of Hawaiians impacted by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease.
Volunteers met with members of the General Assembly and asked them to support HCR 35 and SCR 29 which, if adopted, would allow for an auditor study to assess health insurance coverage for biomarker testing for Hawaii residents. Currently, insurance coverage for biomarker testing is failing to keep pace with innovation and advancement in treatment.
Progress in improving cancer outcomes increasingly involves the use of precision medicine. Biomarker testing is important step for accessing precision medicine including targeted therapies that can lead to improved survivorship and better quality of life for cancer patients.
“I was first diagnosed in 2020 and am still here today thanks, in part to biomarker testing,” said Natalie Hyman, breast cancer survivor, ACS CAN volunteer, and Oahu resident. “I’m attending Cancer Action Day because I want to ensure more Hawaii residents have access to the same testing that I did, without having to battle insurers for coverage.”
While Hyman has undergone biomarker testing multiple times to help connect her to the right treatment at the right time, her insurer has repeatedly refused to cover the cost.
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2025, more than 9,000 Hawaii residents will be newly diagnosed with cancer, with more than 2,700 expected to die from the disease. Both figures mark an increase from the previous year. The cancer mortality rate nationwide continues to decline, however alarming inequities in rates persist, most notably among Native American and Black people. Furthermore, a recent report found a steep increase in the number of Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) women being diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of Hawaiians impacted by cancer,” said Cynthia Au, ACS CAN Hawaii Government Relations Director. “Increasing access to care, early detection, and prevention is crucial to ending the cancer burden for all communities. We are grateful to the lawmakers who have partnered with us in this fight. Their leadership is vital to defeating this disease.”
With March being Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, volunteer advocates also asked legislators to support HCR 36 and SCR 28 which would allow for an auditor’s study of requiring Medicaid to cover colorectal cancer screenings, including the colonoscopy required after a positive non-invasive stool test, without cost-sharing for uninsured and underinsured patients.
Rates of colorectal cancer in people younger than 50 years of age have increased by 2.4% per year from 2012 to 2021.
To assess your cancer risk, use the American Cancer Society’s new comprehensive cancer risk assessment tool, CancerRisk360. The tool provides individuals with an accessible, easy first step to prevent and detect cancer by offering a better understanding of several factors that impact a person’s individual risk.