Frankfort, Kentucky (May 7, 2026) – The Southeastern Colon Cancer Consortium (SCCC) presented Representative Amy Neighbors of Edmonton with the Legislative Champion Award for her leadership in colorectal cancer prevention, screening modernization, and expanding access to early detection services across Kentucky. The award honors policymakers that have made a significant impact in the fight against colorectal cancer through public policy, advocacy, and leadership.
“I’m truly honored to be recognized by the SCCC,” Neighbors said. “My perspective as a colorectal cancer survivor has shaped my focus on prevention and on making sure people can get screened before the disease progresses.”
During the 2025 Regular Session, Neighbors championed House Bill 421, legislation that restructured Kentucky’s colorectal cancer screening framework around risk-based guidelines and expanded coverage protections for high-risk individuals. The law also reduced financial and administrative barriers to recommended screening and follow-up testing.
The legislation is expected to especially benefit rural communities, Appalachia, and underserved populations across Kentucky, where colorectal cancer rates remain among the highest in the nation. The legislation established our commonwealth as the first state to implement risk-based prevention and early detection colorectal cancer screening recommendations from the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force, as Kentucky continues to be a leader in the fight against colon cancer.
“HB 421 marked a shift in how we think about prevention in Kentucky,” Neighbors added. “It moves us away from a one-size-fits-all approach and toward earlier, more targeted screening so that more cancers and precancerous conditions can be diagnosed.”
Additionally, Neighbors has been appointed to the Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening and Prevention Program Advisory Committee, where she continues working alongside advocates, survivors, and medical experts to improve outcomes for Kentuckians.
“Serving on this committee allows the policy work to translate into real-world impact,” Neighbors said. “My goal is to help these changes reach every region of the state, especially communities that have historically had less access to preventive care.”
For more information about legislation passed into law during the 2026 Regular Session, please visit the Kentucky General Assembly’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
(Laurie Abbott, Communications Specialist – Kentucky House of Representatives)