Life-Saving Grant
Saving Lives Through Early Breast Cancer Screenings
$30,000 grant from National Breast Cancer Foundation will provide free screenings to women in the colonia of Sparks
Early detection of breast cancer not only saves lives but also reduces the high costs of treatment, making prevention a win for both patients and communities.
This simple truth drives the mission of the Medical Student Run Clinic in the East El Paso Sparks colonia, where access to preventive care is limited, and breast cancer screenings are critical to saving lives.
The Foster School of Medicine’s Medical Student Run Clinic has received a $30,000 National Breast Cancer Foundation grant to provide free breast cancer screenings. Located in the historically underserved colonia of Sparks, the clinic has received NBCF grants since 2015 to address the community’s health care needs. This grant is paramount for the community, particularly for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this past October, reinforcing the importance of early detection for women living along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Patricia, a Sparks resident, has been coming to the clinic for her health care for several years. The clinic’s ability to provide regular mammograms has given her one less worry in life.
“I wouldn’t have been able to get my mammograms if it weren’t for this clinic and the National Breast Cancer Foundation,” said Patricia. “I’m so grateful.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S., with one in eight women likely to be diagnosed in their lifetime. Early detection through mammography can reduce breast cancer mortality by 15 to 20%, yet millions of women, particularly those uninsured, go without this life-saving screening.
Hispanic women, in particular, may face unique challenges, such as language difficulties, concerns over immigration status, and cultural stigmas, which can delay access to essential health services. Given that 17% of Hispanic women in the U.S. are uninsured, compared to 5% of non-Hispanic whites, access to screenings is a pressing public health issue.
An essential community need
The Medical Student Run Clinic, a student-led initiative that provides no-cost health care to underserved communities, has been a vital part of breast cancer prevention efforts in El Paso County.
Since 2015, the National Breast Cancer Foundation has provided about $140,000 in grants to the MSRC, allowing the clinic to offer free breast cancer screenings to 709 women through 30 mammography drives to date. Desert Imaging, a local diagnostic provider, performs the mammograms.
“This continued support from the National Breast Cancer Foundation allows us to expand our outreach and provide preventive care that saves lives,” said Maureen Francis, M.D., M.S.-H.P.Ed., MACP, the clinic’s faculty coordinator. “With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re reminded of the importance of early detection, and we’re proud to partner with the NBCF to make that possible for more women in our community.”
Founded in 1991, the National Breast Cancer Foundation is dedicated to educating women about breast cancer and the importance of early detection. Supporting the Medical Student Run Clinic is one way the NBCF seeks to improve access to health care for all women, regardless of their financial situation or geographic location.
The MSRC plays an important role in the community. Since its founding in 2013, the Sparks clinic has provided over 4,000 free medical sessions, ranging from routine check-ups to critical cancer screenings. Students who volunteer at the clinic gain invaluable hands-on experience, while patients benefit from the accessible health care services in their neighborhood.
Second-year medical student Axel Rodriguez Roman is the clinic's director of patient services. According to Rodriguez Roman, the clinic holds one breast cancer drive per month with its current funding.
“This latest grant will allow us to add two more drives,” he said. “That’s 48 more women we can serve in our community.”
In addition to the screenings, the clinic educates each patient on the importance of annual screenings and proper nutrition.
During these sessions, the patients share their stories. Most are very grateful for the free exams.
“Many of these women don’t have easy access to medical care,” said Rodriguez Roman. “They tell us they appreciate that we’re here for them.”
In the corner of our cancer warriors
With the continued support of the NBCF, the MSRC is just one part of Texas Tech Health El Paso’s efforts to detect cancer in its early stages and close the gap in health care access for uninsured women living near our U.S.-Mexico border.
The clinic’s breast cancer care efforts are tied to Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Breast Cancer Education, Screening and Navigation Program (BEST), which has performed over 4,130 mammograms in underserved communities across 105 West Texas counties since 2013.
The future Steve and Nancy Fox Cancer Center, to be constructed on the Texas Tech Health El Paso campus, will provide access to comprehensive cancer care for our Borderplex. Currently, the nearest cancer centers are over 250 miles away, necessitating overnight stays away from home and loved ones. The Fox Cancer Center will consolidate cancer imaging, treatment, research and clinical trials, and preventive outreach programs under one roof, giving cancer warriors in our region the resources to win the battle against the disease.
The Medical Student Run Clinic’s impact has been amplified by its innovative use of the Care Van, a mobile clinic donated in 2019 by The Caring Foundation of Texas, with major sponsorship from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. The Care Van travels to underserved areas, offering vital services, including vaccinations and health screenings, to women with little or no access to health care. By bringing care directly to communities, the MSRC ensures preventive services are available to all, regardless of transportation or financial barriers.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 counties in West Texas that have been historically underserved. It’s a designated Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic and are often first-generation students.
Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a proudly diverse and uniquely innovative destination for education and research.
With a mission of eliminating health care barriers and creating life-changing educational opportunities for Borderplex residents, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,400 doctors, nurses and researchers over the past decade, and will add dentists to its alumni beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.