Preventive cancer care is a cornerstone of public health, it’s about catching cancer early or even preventing it entirely. According to the CDC, routine screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer can detect disease at earlier, more treatable stages, often saving lives and reducing treatment costs.
Regular screening isn’t just effective, it’s an investment in community health. The CDC notes that past declines in cervical cancer deaths owe much to Pap and HPV tests that detect precancerous conditions. 12,536 new cases of cervical cancer were reported in 2021, and 4,051 women died of this cancer in 2022 and the rate for new cervical cancer cases is highest for non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native women and Hispanic women. The death rate is highest for non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander women and in 2020, the cost of cervical cancer care was $2.3 billion.
El Paso voters approved the El Paso County Hospital District’s $396.6 million bond initiative on the November 2024 ballot. This bond will enable UMC to establish El Paso’s first Comprehensive Cancer Center with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, develop a burn center and increase healthcare access points for patients. As cancer diagnoses are expected to rise by 30% by 2030, the center would offer a close-to-home alternative to treatments which are currently being sought by El Paso residents in distant cities like Houston or Phoenix.
In addition, UMC provides proactive primary care and preventive health services across multiple clinics, from downtown to East and West El Paso, to support screening and early treatment for both women and men. This includes routine Pap smears, mammogram referrals, STD testing, reproductive health exams, and counseling.
These efforts underscore a powerful truth: prevention is not only more effective and affordable than treatment, it’s also essential to health equity. By expanding access to early screenings and building El Paso’s first Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Medical Center is closing gaps in care and bringing life-saving resources directly to the community. Whether you need a routine screening or are seeking specialized care, UMC is committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive support at every stage.
Visit the UMC website to explore available services, find a nearby clinic, or learn more about the future of cancer care in El Paso.
