American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network - Hawaii Pacific

What an impact it was at this year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer this weekend! Mahalo to everyone who stopped by to learn more about ACS CAN and support our upcoming legislative priority to increase access to biomarker testing in Hawaii!

Stop by the ACS CAN table at ACS’ Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Hawaii from 7 am - 10 am at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park! Hope to see you there! 🤙

Did you see Dr. William Loui, ACS’ Board Medical Officer, on KITV’s Good Morning Hawaii with Cynthia Yip? He shared about the latest ACS report on the steepest increases in breast cancer diagnosis seen in AAPI women and the importance of biomarker tests to determine the best treatment for a patient at the right time. We will be working with the legislature to ensure more people of Hawaii can access this type of testing.

Catch Dr. William Loui, Uri Martos and Representative Cory Chun on KITV’s Good Morning Hawaii talk about ACS’ new Breast Cancer Report, getting screened, and supporting biomarker testing coverage as breast cancer awareness month comes to an end.

Stop by the ACS CAN booth tomorrow, Saturday, 10/19, at the Honolulu Pride Festival from 5pm-9pm at the Waikiki Shell. See you there!

ACS' release of Breast Cancer Statistics, 2024, the biennial update on breast cancer occurrence trends in the US highlights the devastating rates of AAPI women. Concerning is the continued upward trend in breast cancer incidence, rising by 1% annually during 2012-2021, with the steepest increase in women younger than 50 years (1.4% per year) and Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) women of any age (2.5%-2.7% per year).

“We are currently working on connecting patients in Hawaiʻi with the right treatment at the right time through increasing access to biomarker testing in the state," said ACS CAN Government Relations Director, Cynthia Au.

Check out Cassie Ordonio's Hawaiʻi Public Radio coverage:

Report: Breast cancer rates for AAPI women have risen over last 2 decades Cancer advocates and researchers say the report underscores the need for biomarker testing, which is a procedure that analyzes a sample of blood, tissue or other bodily fluid that helps doctors connect patients with the appropriate treatments for cancer or other diseases.

Volunteers Jenny and Benita shared resources and the importance of getting screened in support of breast cancer awareness month at Ohana Pink event today. We also shared about the importance of access to biomarker tests.

Our American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network - Hawaii Pacific volunteers were on the Hill! Talking to lawmakers about increased funding for , improving access to care and building support for final passage of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act!

Mahalo to U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda for meeting with us on fly-in day! Thank you to staff from Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Senator Brian Schatz, Congressman Ed Case and Delegate James Moylen for listening to our important cancer priorities.

McKayla McCullah was recognized by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network - ACS CAN for her advocacy work as an emerging young leader in the fight against cancer at this year's ACS CAN's Leadership Summit and Lobby Day at Washington, D.C., last week.

McCullah's leadership and advocacy work helps to raise awareness about the deadly disease in her community and for the people of Hawai'i. We are so proud of you McKayla!

Mahalo to Hawaiʻi Public Radio and Cassie Ordonio for your coverage.

Waiʻanae resident earns national award for cancer advocacy work The award was presented at the nonprofit’s annual summit in Washington, D.C. More than 700 cancer patients and survivors met with elected officials this week urging them to increase funding for cancer research.

This weekend the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network - Hawaii Pacific had a great productive advocacy training to learn the tools to support our upcoming legislative priorities on biomarker testing coverage and access to care. Thank you to participants across the state for participating! Mahalo to Representative Cory Chun and Representative Jenna Takenouchi for taking the time to meet with volunteers!

Volunteers Jenny and Nancy at a safety and health fair today sharing resources on cancer prevention and screening!

Supporting American Cancer Society’s Hope on the Range Hope Gala!

Senator , thank you for meeting with to talk about our legislative priorities to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

Check out the latest ACS CAN Hawaii newsletter! This month’s newsletter includes: 2024 Cancer Action Day, Legislative Session, ACS’ Facts and Figures on AANHPI, Affinity Groups and more!

Register to join live at 6:00 am (HST), Tuesday, May 21st, or to access the recording.

Addressing Cancer Care Barriers for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders ACS CAN is the leading cancer advocacy organization that is working every day to make cancer issues a national priority.