TTUHSC Free Breast Examination Program Expands to Concho Valley
Women in San Angelo and rural communities in the region now have close-to-home access to early breast examination technology at no cost.
A mobile project that is part of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s (TTUHSC) “Access to Breast Health for Texans” program recently expanded beyond the Abilene area into the Concho Valley.
The project is led through TTUHSC’s Institute of Telehealth and Digital Innovation in collaboration with the TTUHSC Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health and is designed to increase access to breast health services in rural and underserved communities. Recent funding from private foundations made the expansion possible.
The project offers quick, painless breast examinations in community settings using
a handheld medical device called Bexa™. The device uses low-frequency vibrations to evaluate areas of the breast that may
be less elastic or stiffer than surrounding tissue. There is no radiation involved,
making it safe and accessible for younger women, ages 18 to 40, who do not yet qualify
for a mammogram.
When appropriate, the Bexa™ examination is paired with ultrasound, allowing individuals to receive additional evaluation in the same visit. This approach helps identify and assess abnormal breast masses and provides individuals with immediate results. For those who need further imaging or treatment, the project offers resources for follow-up care, including telehealth consultations.
Bexa™ examinations are not a replacement for mammography but serve as a tool for breast examination that works alongside imaging practices. The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health in San Angelo continues its mammography referral program with Shannon Medical Center to ensure patients receive all recommended forms of breast imaging.
About 125 individuals in the San Angelo region have had Bexa™ exams since they were first offered in mid-February. The Bexa™ Project has performed more than 2,700 exams in Abilene and the Big Country area since November 2024. Programmatic feedback shows that 74% of participants were either past due for a mammogram or had never had one, underscoring the need for accessible breast health services in rural areas.
For information on where the Access to Breast Health for Texans project is scheduled and to make an appointment for a Bexa™ exam, visit the Bexa™ website.
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