El Paso hospitals are stepping up outreach to help women catch breast cancer early. The University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC) and The Hospitals of Providence have launched a city‑wide campaign encouraging women age 40 and older to schedule their annual mammograms.
Affordable 3D screening for the uninsured
For the entire month, UMC is providing 3D mammograms for just $50 to patients without insurance. The low‑cost option aims to remove financial barriers that often delay diagnosis.
Medical experts stress early detection
Dr. Krisitie Benejan, a family‑medicine physician at UMC, explains that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, most commonly in their 50s. “Women should begin yearly mammograms at age 40,” she says, noting that younger women in their twenties can also develop the disease.
Early detection dramatically improves outcomes. “When breast cancer is caught early, the five‑year survival rate is about 99%,” Dr. Benejan adds, while acknowledging that health disparities affect those numbers.
Addressing disparities in the community
Dr. Benejan highlights that Latina women in the region face higher mortality rates because cancers are often diagnosed later. Black women also experience a 38% higher risk of breast cancer compared to other groups. These statistics underscore the importance of targeted outreach in El Paso’s diverse population.
Risk factors and personalized screening
Beyond age, genetics, obesity, alcohol consumption, and dense breast tissue can increase a woman’s risk, sometimes prompting doctors to start screening in the 30s. The hospitals encourage women to discuss personal risk factors with their providers.
Community leaders join the effort
ABC‑7 interviewed Tasha Hopper, CEO of The Hospitals of Providence’s East Campus. Hopper demonstrated how a mammogram works to ease common concerns and emphasized that the radiation exposure is minimal. She shared her personal motivation: “After friends and my grandmother were diagnosed, I realized no one else will do it for you if you don’t do it yourself.”
Hopper also reminded women to perform regular breast self‑exams and to seek medical attention promptly if they notice any lumps or pain.
Putting women’s health first
Both hospitals stress that breast health is a lifelong responsibility, not just a concern during child‑bearing years. “Many women forget to prioritize their own health after they stop having babies,” Hopper says. “It’s essential to make time for regular screenings and self‑care.”
The campaign reflects a broader commitment by El Paso’s medical community to provide accessible, high‑quality preventive care and to close the gap in outcomes for underserved populations.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
