Cancer Advocates Celebrate as Governor Signs “Jill’s Law” for Biomarker Testing Coverage
JACKSON, Miss. – Cancer advocates are celebrating after Gov.
Alex Wiles
Sr. Regional Media Advocacy Manager
Las Vegas, NV
Cancer Advocates Urge Hawai’i Lawmakers to Support Increased Access to Colorectal Cancer Screenings as Cases Rise in Young Adults
March 18, 2026
Dozens of volunteer advocates, including cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers from across Hawai’i united at the state capitol Tuesday for ‘Cancer Action Day’ to urge lawmakers to support several policies to aid in the fight against cancer including a bill that would increase access to colorectal cancer screenings for residents.
Cases of colon and rectum cancer significantly increased among men and women under age 50 in Hawai’i between 2013 and 2022, according to new statistics from the Hawai'i Tumor Registry. This alarming trend mirrors recent data released by the American Cancer Society which found colorectal cancer rates are rising in people under 65, nationwide with many cases happening in people between 45-49 who are eligible for screening.
Tuesday’s event was timely because March is recognized as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, across the United States.
"Without a routine reminder and screening, my tumor would have gone undetected,” said Mark Vasconcellos, colorectal cancer survivor, and ACS CAN volunteer. “If I waited, my outcome could have been worse. Cost should never be a barrier to lifesaving preventative care like coloscopies."
Vasconcellos’ tumor was discovered after he underwent his first routine colonoscopy at age 50, after he survived cancer twice before. Vasconcellos experienced no symptoms or pain but during the procedure, doctors discovered a golf ball sized tumor inside his stomach which was surgically removed. Fortunately, the cancer didn’t spread, which meant chemotherapy or radiation wasn’t required.
Vasconcellos joined by dozens of other volunteers at Tuesday's event, including Christel Pope, Kauai resident and breast cancer survivor who flew into Honolulu just to meet with lawmakers.
“This was my second year attending Cancer Action Day and this year I feel empowered,” said Pope. “My message to lawmakers is simple – invest in early detection so more lives can be saved.”
Pope experienced a colorectal cancer scare shortly after recovering from breast cancer. After undergoing a colonoscopy, her doctor removed a large polyp from her colon which turned out to be non-cancerous.
Pope was especially passionate about advocating for HB1969 which, if passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Josh Green, would require insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings, including the follow up colonoscopy required after a noninvasive screening and expand access to screenings for colorectal cancer for uninsured and underinsured individuals in Hawai’i.
“Ultimately, we want people to have access to preventative screenings without worrying about financial barriers,” said Cynthia Au, ACS CAN Hawai’i Government Relations Director. “It’s concerning what is happening here in Hawai’i as it relates to colorectal cancer. We hope lawmakers take notice and ensure residents can access these lifesaving screenings by voting YES to HB 1969.”
Volunteers also asked lawmakers to support increased access to biomarker testing coverage for Hawai’i residents, as well as funding for the Hawai’i Tumor Registry, which is the state’s only cancer surveillance program and provides critical data for cancer control efforts.
Members of the House of Representatives recognized the ACS CAN volunteers inside the House chamber, and several lawmakers expressed their support for all three legislative asks.
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2026, more than 9,400 Hawai’i residents will be newly diagnosed with cancer, with more than 2,700 expected to die from the disease.
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