Uninsured and medically underserved females between the ages of 21 to 64 years old in Montgomery County, Texas are the target population for the See, Test & Treat (ST&T) program proposed by Lone Star Community Health Center, Inc. (LSCHC). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Montgomery County has a 2014 estimated total population of 518,047 of which 262,068 are female.

The target population is defined as individuals with incomes below 200% of the Federal poverty Level. LSCHC’s patient population ethnicity is 36% White, 49% Hispanic, 4% African American, and 11% from other ethnic backgrounds. The uninsured rate in Montgomery County is 21%.

According to the American Cancer Society, near...

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Uninsured and medically underserved females between the ages of 21 to 64 years old in Montgomery County, Texas are the target population for the See, Test & Treat (ST&T) program proposed by Lone Star Community Health Center, Inc. (LSCHC). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Montgomery County has a 2014 estimated total population of 518,047 of which 262,068 are female.

The target population is defined as individuals with incomes below 200% of the Federal poverty Level. LSCHC’s patient population ethnicity is 36% White, 49% Hispanic, 4% African American, and 11% from other ethnic backgrounds. The uninsured rate in Montgomery County is 21%.

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 245,000 women in the U.S. received a diagnosis of breast or cervical cancer in 2014. However, in Montgomery County, over 20% of adults report being unable to see a doctor due to financial barriers. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Hispanic women, and they tend to access health care services less frequently; and therefore, receive breast cancer diagnosis at much later stages than other ethnic groups. Hispanic women have the lowest breast and cervical screening rates compared to other ethnic and racial groups in the U.S. The mammography screening rate in Montgomery County is 58.4%. In 2012, there were 20.1 deaths from breast cancer per 100,000 women in the county.

The ST&T event at LSCHC will provide breast and cervical cancer screening with same-day, face-to-face results, connection to follow-up care, culturally sensitive outreach and accessible services, education to create patient understanding about how to access health care, the need for preventive screening and how a healthy lifestyle and behavior can lower the risk of cancer. In addition, LSCHC will provide a healthy breakfast and lunch while patients wait for results.

The cancer screening will be conducted by licensed gynecologists, primary care physicians, radiologists and pathologists. Oral cancer screenings will be conducted by licensed dentists, and vision screenings will be provided by volunteers from the Conroe Noon Lions Club. The Conroe Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Committee, Montgomery County Association of Business Women, Executive Business Alliance, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and M.D. Anderson Breast Friends have either committed to participate actively on the day of the event or to do so by ensuring the event is promoted to their respective constituencies.

Physicians such as Dr. Kyle Eskue, Dr. Pamela Holder, and Dr. Carol Hodgson continue to be instrumental in preparing for the logistics of hosting this program. Hologic, Susan G. Komen-Houston, Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories, LLP, and LabCorp have contributed their services at no charge in the past to reach the uninsured and underserved in the area. Groups including Montgomery County Hospital District, Southeast Community Health Center, American Cancer Society, Montgomery County United Way, Crisis Assistance Center and Interfaith of The Woodlands have been and will be involved in the planning and promotion of this program. An area Women Infants & Children (WIC) location is situated inside of LSCHC-Conroe, and the ST&T program will be promoted to their constituency as well. 

The specific goal of LSCHC’s hosting a third annual ST&T event is to reduce the incidence of breast and cervical cancer among the women in Montgomery County who are uninsured or underserved. LSCHC proposes to provide screenings to 145 patients and education to over 300 people. The proposed outreach efforts will reach approximately 26,000 community members.

The ST&T events hosted by LSCHC have not only delivered free, pathologist-led cervical and breast cancer screening, same-day results, and education to underserved women, but also have provided free oral health cancer screening, vision screening, flu shots, and nutritional cooking demonstrations in the LSCHC teaching kitchen. Last year, LSCHC engaged the Adventure Colon from Hope Through Grace which is an inflatable, walk-through replica of the human colon used to educate people about colon cancer. Many patients bring their children with them and LSCHC offers food, face painting, games, and Children’s Books on Wheels.

LSCHC believes in the program as evidenced by continually committing resources from the organization’s cash reserve to ensure the event is executed without compromising its quality or duration. On average, at least 50 LSCHC staff members volunteer their Saturday to conduct the event. The prior two ST&T events have uniquely impacted cancer prevention for women in the County and surrounding areas by providing free cancer screening along with education which is passed on by word-of-mouth from patients to family to friends. LSCHC is in the community to provide a permanent health home for everyone.

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