It’s sad to learn that cancer is the leading cause of death among Asian Americans and the second leading cause of death among Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander individuals here in Hawaii.

Cancer is also the second leading cause of death in our state.

An estimated 8,460 Hawaii residents will be diagnosed with cancer this year and will begin their fight against the disease.

With these troubling statistics in mind, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (CAN) volunteers from across the state met with legislators last week to urge them to fund a multiethnic cohort study by the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.

The study would focus on lifestyle habits, environmental exposures, health-related behaviors and social factors that could contribute to cancer disparities among Native Hawaiian, other Pacific Islander individuals and Asian groups, including Filipinos, in Hawaii.

Collected data will aid in future research to improve health outcomes for these underrepresented populations.

The group of cancer advocates also urged the Legislature to support improving access to audio-only telehealth to help ensure that cancer patients and survivors — particularly those who live in rural areas and on islands with limited broadband access — have access to the appropriate medical specialists they may need.

In addition, CAN volunteers support repealing the tobacco preemption laws to allow local governments the ability to enact ordinances regulating the sale of tobacco products.

Smoking is linked to at least 12 types of cancers, including lung, liver and colorectal cancer. 

“Cities, counties and municipalities have been at the forefront of tobacco control policies, and it’s crucial they regain local control to enact innovative policies stronger than state laws that are tailored to their unique or pressing needs and concerns,” said Cynthia Au, ACS CAN Hawaii government relations director and grassroots manager.

To support CAN and join in the fight against this terrible disease on the local and state level, visit FightCancer.org/Hawaii.