The news hit hard, Saldierna said. Nevertheless, she\u2019s grateful the mobile unit was in her neighborhood providing those necessary services.<\/p>\n
Saldierna\u2019s story is all too common as 1 in 8 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The program now has services ranging from prostate cancer screenings to diabetes blood tests. However, it began in 1993 by providing mammograms.\u00a0<\/p>\n Breast cancer is still a focal point of the program. Last year, 3,156 mammograms<\/a> were performed in the mobile unit, according to Texas Health.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mobile health director Nina Burgos said the program sees more requests in October to provide mammogram testing during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Program leaders are continuously seeking new communities to visit, Burgos said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEarly detection isn\u2019t just about finding cancer, it\u2019s about preserving futures,\u201d Burgos said. \u201cEvery early detection is a life given them more time, more birthdays, more memories, more moments with their loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n The program\u2019s inception was rooted in a National Cancer Institute study<\/a>, said Dr. Kathleen Crowley, the program\u2019s medical director. Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth was part of the landmark research, which started in 1992, and found that tamoxifen could be used to treat breast cancer.<\/p>\n As a result of the study, Texas Health invested in the mobile unit program to increase breast cancer screenings. The program has now grown to provide services throughout North Texas.<\/p>\n Crowley plans on stepping down from her position in December. She noted there is always room for growth, but she\u2019s delighted the program has improved awareness of breast cancer in the community and expanded services beyond mammograms.<\/p>\n \u201cIt feels as though we have made some sort of impact in the lives of people around us,\u201d Crowley said. \u201cWhen you think about helping others, that\u2019s a noble attribute. Why are we existing in the world, if not to help others?\u201d<\/p>\n Saldierna adopted that mentality, too. She continues to receive her cancer treatment from Parkland Health, and has pushed friends and family members to get screened.<\/p>\n She hopes her advocacy will push others to get tested<\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s a very scary thing to do \u2014 I was scared,\u201d Saldierna said. \u201cBut I hope they get the courage to go out there and get checked and get it over with, rather than waiting and finding out later that you have cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
![\"Creative](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758084579_646_cc-by-nd-4.0.png\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n