Local hospitals encourage more women to get mammograms, detect breast cancer early

Hospitals across El Paso are spreading awareness on the importance of early detection of breast cancer. 

The University Medical Center of El Paso and The Hospitals of Providence are encouraging more women to make time and get the important exam done.

UMC, for example, is offering $50 3D mammograms all month-long, for those without insurance.

Dr. Krisitie Benejan, a UMC family medicine physician, says women ages 40 and up should be getting yearly mammograms, as one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, typically those in their 50s. 

But, Benejan says it's possible for women as young as in their twenties to get it too.

They say the earlier it's detected, the better the 99% five-year survival rate is — However, Benejan shares that there are health disparities that complicate that survival rate.

"Latina women are more likely to die from breast cancer than any other subgroup, and have worse outcomes because it's not detected as early," says the doctor. "So that's super important to our community here in El Paso... Black women also are at increased risk of breast cancer. I think they're 38% more likely to have breast cancer than any other subgroup."

Any risk factors like genetics, obesity, alcohol consumption and dense breast tissue can mean you might need to start mammograms in your 30s.

ABC-7 also met with Tasha Hopper, CEO of THOP's East Campus who demonstrated how mammograms are done to ease any worries women may have.

She also says anyone who's concerned about having breast work done, can and should get a mammogram because the tissue's been manipulated. 

Bother Benejan and Hopper assure that the radiation exposure is minimal.

While women are normally recommended to get one at 40 years old, Hopper shared her own personal experience, constantly getting examined after her own friends and even grandmother were diagnosed with breast cancer.

"No one else will do it for you if you don't do it for yourself," she says. "Many times after we stop having babies, sometimes we forget that there's still that second part of our lives that we need to care about and worry about. I think sometimes we forget to make ourselves a priority."

THOP also wants to remind women to do breast self-exams to feel any lumps or pain. 

You should always see a doctor and get checked immediately if you feel any.