Mega Doctor News
Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among women in the United States, affecting about one in eight women, per the American Cancer Society.
This year, an estimated 310,720 new cases of the life-threatening disease will be diagnosed in American women, with more than 40,000 women expected to die from breast cancer.
Despite those sobering statistics, there is hope for those diagnosed with the disease as widespread support for breast cancer awareness and increased education on the importance of early detection has led to increased survival rates, per the Mayo Clinic.
Getting routine screenings and mammograms is an essential part of early breast cancer detection, which can lead to the disease being found it its initial stages, when more treatment options are available.
When detected early and in the localized stage, the five-year relative survival rate is 99%, per the National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc.
Health experts advise women to begin getting annual breast screenings at the age of 45, with mammograms considered the best way to detect the disease early as they can find tumors before they’re large enough to be felt by hand, which significantly improves the chances of successful breast cancer treatments.
In the Rio Grande Valley, women can depend on South Texas Health System for nationally recognized breast care, including mammogram services.
STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg recently earned the 2025 Women’s Choice Award for America’s Best Hospitals for Comprehensive Breast Care, a distinction that recognizes the facilities for ranking in the top 7% of 4,675 U.S. hospitals offering breast care services and meeting the highest standard of care in the nation as set by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.
“As a breast cancer survivor, I learned the hard way that where you choose to have your mammogram can have a profound impact on your outcome and experience,” says Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award.
Passi was the victim of poor imaging and misdiagnosis. Doctors eventually discovered her breast cancer after a surgical biopsy and two lumpectomies at the age of 42. Her experience was the inspiration behind creating the Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals.
“We empower women to make educated, confident decisions about their health,” says Passi. “By letting women know which breast centers in their area are among America’s best, we are able to reduce the risk by helping them make better decisions and smarter health care choices.”
The methodology used to select STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg as America’s Best Hospitals for Comprehensive Breast Care is unique in that it evaluates Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results along with primary research about women’s healthcare preferences.
“This distinction proves our ongoing commitment to the women of the Rio Grande Valley,” says Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Officer, STHS McAllen. “Only the hospitals that achieve an elevated level of patient satisfaction criteria from those in their care are eligible to earn the award, and we’re so proud of that accomplishment. Our steadfast commitment to providing the best healthcare, including important breast care services, is our most important pledge to our community and the greatest compliment.”
The list of 340 award winners represents breast centers that have met the highest standards of breast care in the nation as set by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) or the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers (NQMBC) and carry the Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (CBIC) seal from the American College of Radiology.
“By carrying the Women’s Choice Award, we are part of an elite network of healthcare facilities and corporations across America who are all committed to empowering women to make smart healthcare choices,” says Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg & STHS Children’s.
For more information on the breast care services offered at STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg, visit southtexashealthsystemmcallen.com or southtexashealthsystemedinburg.com. To schedule a mammogram at STHS McAllen, STHS Edinburg, STHS ER Mission or STHS ER Weslaco, call 956-388-2190.
