Borderplex Cancer Breakthrough
Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Life‑Saving Cancer Prevention Programs Receive Nearly $5 Million CPRIT Grants
Grants will support lifesaving cancer prevention efforts across our Borderplex and other communities in West and South Texas
When cancer is found before being spread, a patient’s five-year survival rate is about four times higher than when it’s diagnosed late. Early detection through preventive screenings remains one of the most effective tools in reducing cancer deaths.
In May 2025, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) awarded two major cancer prevention grants totaling nearly $5 million to Texas Tech Health El Paso. The awards support the expansion of the Southwest Coalition for Colorectal Cancer Screening (SuCCCeS) and the Breast Cancer Education, Screening and Navigation Program (BEST) programs. The programs are led by Jennifer Molokwu, M.D., M.P.H., director of Cancer Prevention and Control in the Department of Family and Community Medicine.
The SuCCCeS and BEST programs, which serve communities in West and South Texas, were highlighted during a funding announcement held Friday, Aug. 8, at Texas Tech Health El Paso. Since 2011, CPRIT has been instrumental in funding Texas Tech Health El Paso’s cancer prevention programs, enabling the institution to expand its life-saving services across more than 100 counties in West Texas.
The grants awarded to Texas Tech Health El Paso have helped reach over 55,500 uninsured or underinsured residents, resulting in the detection of 77 breast cancers and 39 colorectal cancers. CPRIT’s continued support has not only strengthened the institution’s outreach but has also provided critical resources for building the capacity to fight cancer in rural and underserved areas.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Breast and colorectal cancers are among the most preventable and treatable cancers when caught early. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 99% when detected at the localized stage, compared to 31% when diagnosed after it has spread. Colorectal cancer has a 91% survival rate when found early, but drops to 15% in later stages.
Dr. Mokokwu said catching cancer early is truly amazing and she always tells a story about a man who went through a colonoscopy screening.
“In just one visit, I was able to tell him that he had cancer, but I also told him that he was cured because we were able to remove it during the colonoscopy,” she said. “His reaction was profound; instant shock and immediate relief. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do. Our goal is to catch cancer early so that patients don’t have to bear the heavy burden of prolonged cancer treatments. Early detection can truly save lives.”
These new awards bring Texas Tech Health El Paso’s total CPRIT funding to more than $43.2 million since 2011 — a reflection of the institution’s long-standing leadership in preventive cancer care across underserved regions of Texas.
“CPRIT and the State of Texas have made a decades-long commitment to preventing cancer and saving lives in El Paso and throughout our Borderplex,” said Dee Margo, former El Paso Mayor and present member of the CPRIT governing board. “Through grants like those awarded to Dr. Molokwu, Texas Tech Health El Paso has successfully delivered life-saving screenings, cancer education and follow-up care to over 67,000 individuals, significantly enhancing public health in our community. Additionally, CPRIT funding has spurred the research infrastructure at institutions here in El Paso to make it one of the leading cancer centers outside the traditional hubs of Dallas and Houston. This is an investment in the future of our community that will benefit generations of El Pasoans.”
The communities served by these two programs experience significant socioeconomic and health care challenges, including high poverty levels, low high school graduation rates, and limited access to health insurance. All participating counties are designated fully or partially as medically underserved, with physician-to-population ratios that fall below national benchmarks.
Empowering Early Breast Cancer Detection
The BEST program received $2,499,980 to address breast cancer screening barriers across 33 counties in West and South Texas, including 28 rural and 12 border counties serving a population of more than 3 million.
The BEST program combines outreach, education, clinical service delivery and patient navigation. These services are delivered in collaboration with local faith groups, schools, community organizations and health care providers.
The program aims to reach over 200,000 individuals, providing 53,000 educational interventions, 30,000 navigation services, and nearly 5,000 clinical screenings. A core objective is to ensure every patient with abnormal screening results receives a diagnosis, and every person diagnosed with cancer who requires treatment receives navigational support into care.
Screening Rural Texas for Colon Cancer
The SuCCCeS program received $2,499,965 to expand colorectal cancer prevention services across 43 counties in West and South Texas. The majority of these counties are rural, and some are located along the U.S.–Mexico border.
SuCCCeS aims to offer comprehensive colorectal services, expand provider partnerships, and ensure 100% diagnostic follow-up and treatment navigation for patients with abnormal results.
SuCCCeS remains firmly rooted in CPRIT’s priority to serve rural, underserved, culturally diverse populations. This renewed coalition strengthens screening infrastructure and patient support to reduce colorectal cancer disparities across medically underserved regions of West and South Texas.
CPRIT’s Mission to Reduce Texas’ Cancer Burden
These prevention awards coincide with CPRIT’s broader February 2025 grant approvals—53 total awards over $67 million for research, academic recruitment, core facilities, and additional prevention programs across Texas. This continued investment highlights CPRIT’s comprehensive strategy to reduce cancer burden from prevention through clinical innovation and workforce development.
In total, CPRIT has now funded over 2,090 grants totaling $3.8 billion since its creation, delivering more than 10.5 million prevention services statewide and extending services to all 254 Texas counties. The El Paso‑based BEST and SuCCCeS programs continue playing a vital role in reaching communities most in need.
As the second-largest public funder of cancer research in the U.S., CPRIT supports projects that drive research breakthroughs, create high-quality jobs, and reduce cancer mortality rates across Texas.
The Future of Cancer Care in El Paso is HERE
The first comprehensive cancer center to serve West Texas and our Borderplex region, the Fox Cancer Center will transform how we treat cancer for our families, friends and neighbors. Breaking ground Sept. 17, 2025, on the Texas Tech Health El Paso campus, the center will open the door to compassionate, comprehensive care, elevate life-saving research, and bring opportunities for innovative clinical trials — right here, in the community we call home. Once completed, the Fox Cancer Center will spare patients and families the emotional and financial burden of traveling far for treatment, ensuring cancer warriors can receive world-class cancer care close to home.
To learn more, visit www.ttuhscepimpact.org/fox-cancer-center
About the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
CPRIT is a $6 billion, 20-year initiative – the largest state cancer research investment in the history of the United States and the second-largest cancer research and prevention program in the world. They accept applications and award grants for a wide variety of innovative cancer-related research and product development. These grants are given to public and private entities located in Texas.
To date, the agency has awarded more than $3.9 billion in grants to Texas institutions through its research, prevention, and product development programs. CPRIT has also recruited 334 distinguished researchers, funded 74 company startups or relocations. It has also supported 10.5 million prevention services across all 254 Texas counties. To learn more about CPRIT, visit www.cprit.texas.gov.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 counties in West Texas and is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.
Focusing on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,600 professionals since 2013, including its first cohort of dental graduates in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.