Mega Doctor News
Every two minutes, a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer, a moment that can change everything.
Second only to skin cancer, breast cancer affects one in eight women in her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
In 2025, approximately 316,950 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, each statistic reflecting a real person, a real family, and a life forever altered.
“Breast cancer can impact anyone, at any stage of life,” says Bianca Nuñez, a family medicine resident with the South Texas Health System (STHS) GME Consortium. “It doesn’t just affect a patient; it affects the people who love them. As more younger women are diagnosed, it’s a powerful reminder that awareness and early detection matter more than ever. Catching breast cancer early can open the door to better treatment options and save lives.”
When breast cancer is found early and remains localized at stage 0 or I, survival rates exceed 99%, per the ACS, underscoring how early detection can change outcomes and save lives.
“Finding cancer early can change the entire experience,” says Dr. Nuñez. “It’s often smaller, less likely to have spread and less overwhelming for patients and their families. Mammograms and regular screening can mean the difference between a difficult journey and a hopeful outcome, giving women more choices, more time and more life.”
To shine a light on the lifesaving importance of early breast cancer detection, STHS officially launched its annual Cinco de Mammo initiative on May 1. Held each year, the monthlong campaign encourages women to make their breast health a priority by scheduling an annual mammogram, the internationally recognized gold standard for early detection, according to the National Cancer Institute.
See the gallery below for more images from the Cinco de Mammo event. All images courtesy of STHS:
To officially kick off this year’s initiative and commemorate Cinco de Mayo, STHS hosted a special luncheon on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, a gathering rooted in compassion, courage and unity.
Featuring heartfelt remarks from three Rio Grande Valley breast cancer warriors, the event offered more than just education; it offered hope. By courageously sharing their personal journeys, Jennifer Glover, Victoria Mosqueda and Brenda Treviño reminded everyone in attendance that no one faces breast cancer alone, and that staying proactive about breast health can truly make all the difference.
“Early detection saved my life,” said Glover, who was 48 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2025, despite a mammogram just four months earlier showing nothing concerning. “I knew my body, and when something didn’t feel right, I paid attention. I listened and I spoke up. That decision changed everything. I want other women to trust their instincts, ask questions and take action, because no one knows your body better than you do.”
Following the inspirational remarks from the breast cancer survivors, Dr. Nuñez addressed the more than 80 attendees in the room, underscoring the importance of understanding breast cancer risk factors, recognizing warning signs and prioritizing breast health.
Drawing on the powerful stories shared moments earlier, Dr. Nuñez reinforced a message that resonated deeply throughout the room: early detection saves lives.
“There’s something profoundly powerful about hearing another woman’s story,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations, STHS. “When survivors share what they’ve endured and how they’ve overcome, it reaches people in a way statistics never can. Those stories can spark courage, restore hope and sometimes become the exact moment someone decides, ‘I’m making that appointment,’ and takes action for her health.”
To help Rio Grande Valley women take meaningful, preventive steps toward early breast cancer detection, South Texas Health System is offering reduced cost mammograms throughout the month of May at four locations: STHS McAllen, STHS Edinburg, STHS ER Mission and STHS ER Weslaco.
Available screening options include a 2D digital mammogram for a cash price of $100, a 3D digital mammogram for $155, and a bone density screening for $160—making lifesaving screenings more accessible to women across the region.
Women ages 40 to 44 have the option to begin annual mammograms, women 45 to 54 are encouraged to receive screenings every year and women 55 and older may transition to mammograms every other year, according to American Cancer Society guidelines. The recommendations underscore one critical truth: prioritizing breast health matters at every stage of life.
“I strongly urge women to schedule their mammograms and take advantage of the special cash pricing South Texas Health System is offering throughout May,” said Charlie Aguirre, Director of Radiology Services, STHS McAllen. “You never think breast cancer will happen to you or someone you love, until it does. Don’t wait. Talk to your friends, your sisters, your mothers. Encourage one another to get screened, especially if it’s been a while. Acting today could spare a loved one from a difficult and lifechanging journey tomorrow.”
For more information on breast cancer screenings at STHS and to register for a mammogram, visit CincoDeMammo.com. While walkin appointments are welcome, preregistration is highly encouraged. To schedule an appointment, call the preregistration line at (956) 3882190 and take the first step toward prioritizing your breast health today.
