SAN ANGELO, Texas — Women's health awareness doesn't only happen in May.
Angelo State University hosted a ceremony to announce a partnership with Shannon Medical Center and the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health at ASU's LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center Friday.
The goal of the event was to help continue to raise awareness of women's health. Specifically, with helping more women, what health officials said is a more vulnerable population, get screened for breast and cervical cancer.
The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health has provided free breast and cervical cancer screening services for more than 2,000 clients in need.
The institute has been around for the last 11 years and wants to continue to be an exclusive healthcare partner continuing to impact the health of girls and women throughout the Concho Valley.
Dr. Genevieve Mejia is the medical director of the mammogram program at the institute and also an OB/GYN with Shannon Medical Center. She said the partnership would impact the entire Concho Valley and the surrounding areas.
"It allows us and ensures that we will be able to continue the support for the community and support for the women who otherwise would not be able to seek medical care for mammograms," Mejia said.
Organizers said the event helped to continue spread awareness and hopes this center continues to inspire women to take care of their health.
Caroline Drain is the event coordinator for the Laura Bush Institute and said starting at an early age is critical.
"Starting from such a young age and I think that is so important. No one else is really telling them that, and so it's just a lot easier to make sure that they're being healthier and have better self-care and things like that from an earlier age," Drain said.
Mejia said some women might be hesitant to get screened because of fear.
"Most of the time when I see patients in the office, the reason that they haven't gotten their mammogram or have been up-to-date on their annual is that they're scared mostly because they don't have the financial resources to take care of their own health because they are taking care of their husband's or their children," Mejia said.
Health officials hope this institute allows them to save many lives and, most importantly, catch cancer as early as possible.
"Take care of yourself, and when there are programs that are available help to help take care of yourself, absolutely take advantage of them. Early detection is key," Mejia said.
Health officials said breast cancer is the most highly diagnosed cancer in Texas for women. It's estimated 30% of women are only eligible for this exam. Health officials report 50,000 women in this region, and only 15,000 women are qualified to get this exam.
