Cancer along the Texas-Mexico Border significant

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014

During the April 30, 2014 regular meeting of the Maverick County Hospital District (MCHD) Board of Directors, MCHD Physician Specialty Clinic Manager Monica Landin reported to the MCHD Board that for the three year period from April 2011 to April 2014 a total of 697 Cancer patients had been attended or provided health care services at the MCHD’s Oncology Treatment Clinic.  Landin was responding to a question raised by MCHD Board member Ricardo E. Calderon at a previous Board meeting.

The MCHD Oncology Treatment Clinic provides chemotherapy treatments and Oncology health care services by medical specialists at its 3406 Bob Rogers Drive office in Eagle Pass.  The MCHD Oncology Treatment Clinic allows Maverick Countians to receive medical consultations with Oncologists and chemotherapy treatments without having to travel out of town, such as San Antonio, Houston, or Laredo.

The 697 figure reported by Monica Landin are only the number of cancer patients seen at the MCHD Oncology Treatment Clinic and does not include the total number of cancer patients in Maverick County.  Many local cancer-stricken patients decide to receive treatment in out of town medical clinics.  It is difficult to ascertain the total number of cancer patients in Maverick County for these reasons.

Although a specific number of actual Cancer patients in Maverick County is unavailable absent further research, the Eagle Pass Business Journal surveyed certain statistical figures from the American Cancer Society and http://www.cancer-rates.info/tx/index.php , reflecting a significant incidence of cancer along the Texas-Mexico border.

According to information from http://www.cancer-rates.info/tx/index.php  there were 320 Cancer deaths in Maverick County from 2007 to 2011. In 2007, there were 61 Cancer deaths in Maverick County; in 2008, there were 58 deaths; in 2009, 64 deaths; in 2010, 61 deaths; and in 2011, 76 deaths.  These statistical numbers account for deaths accredited by death certificates issued by Maverick County.  These 320 Cancer deaths in Maverick County during 2007 through 2011 does not include Maverick County residents who had death certificates issued by out of town Counties such as Bexar (San Antonio), Harris (Houston), Webb (Laredo), Travis (Austin), Dallas (Dallas), or others.

Among the leading Cancer death causes in Maverick County involved digestive system cancers from 2007 through 2011 according to the Cancer Death Registry. Digestive System Invasive Cancer Incidence Rates accounted for 225 of all Cancer cases in Maverick County between 2007 to 2011.  The mortality rate for these Digestive System cancer cases incidence was at 54% with a total of 121 deaths.

Invasive Cancer Incidence Rates between 2007 to 2011, were 812 separate cases.  El Paso County had 13,677 Invasive Cancer cases, Val Verde County 866, Webb County 2,977, Hidalgo County 10,775, Cameron County 6,810, and Starr County had 926 Invasive Cancer cases during 2007 to 2011.

Along the Texas-Mexico Border Region, Cancer Mortality rates from 2007 to 2011 is significant.  Among the 13 counties along the Texas-Mexico border on the Rio Grande River, Maverick County is ranked seventh (7th) in Cancer Mortality Rates according  to information from  http://www.cancer-rates.info/tx/index.php.

Within the 13 Texas-Mexico border counties analyzed, the top six counties on the Texas-Mexico border region with the highest Cancer Mortality rates were El Paso County with a total of 4,940 Cancer Deaths from 2007 to 2011; Hidalgo County had 3,481 Cancer deaths; Cameron County registered 2,401 Cancer deaths; Webb County had 1,082 Cancer deaths; Val Verde County had 345 Cancer deaths; Starr County had 336 Cancer deaths; and Maverick County had 320 Cancer deaths.

Cancer is the second highest cause of death in the United States, surpassed only by heart disease, accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths. In 2014, it’s estimated that there will be over 1,665,540 new cases of Cancer throughout the United States.  Of these numbers, it is also estimated that at least 585,720 of these cases will die from their illness.

It is estimated by the American Cancer Society that in 2014, Texas will have over 115,730 new Cancer cases. According to the American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2014, the estimated number of deaths from Cancer will be over 37,800.  The mortality rate for these Cancer cases is 33% according to the American Cancer Society’s figures.

 According to the American Cancer Society, the five year relative survival rate for cancer cases diagnosed between 2003 to 2009  increased  to 68% survival rate, up from 49% survival rate in 1975-1977. Although relative survival for specific cancer types provides some indication about the average survival experience of cancer patients in a given population, it may not predict individual prognosis and should be interpreted with caution. First, the five-year relative survival rates for the most recent time period are based on patients who were diagnosed from 2003 to 2009 and thus do not reflect the most recent advances in detection and treatment. It should be noted, however, that factors which influence survival, such as treatment protocols, other illnesses, and biological or behavioral differences in individual cancers or people, cannot be taken into account in the estimation of relative survival rates.

Who is at risk? Anyone can develop Cancer. The risk of Cancer diagnosis does increase with age. Most Cancer cases occur in adults who are middle-aged or older. About 77% of all Cancers are diagnosed in people 55 years of age and older. Although it is known that there are many instances of people at a younger age who have developed Cancer in Maverick County, a specific statistical figure of these incidences are not available.

In the United States, men have slightly less than a 1 in 2 lifetime risk of developing cancer while women have a little more than 1 in 3 risk.  It is important to note that these probabilities are estimated based on the overall experience of the general population. Individuals within the population may have higher or lower risk because of differences in exposures (e.g., smoking), and/or genetic susceptibility.

These numbers of Cancer cases along the Texas-Mexico border do not reflect cancer cases in Mexico, but rather only in the 13 Counties described on the Texas side of the Texas-Mexico border.  It is well known that Cancer cases  are also high and significant in Mexican communities along the Texas-Mexico border.

For more information regarding the MCHD’s Oncology Treatment Clinic, please contact Monica Landin at (830) 757-4900.