Cancer Knows No Age

First Responder’s Story Highlights Importance of Early Detection

When Nicole Walls, a Las Cruces firefighter and first responder, was 30, she began to experience some subtle warning signs, including night sweats, that made her wonder if she might have a serious health problem. 

She received a basic breast cancer screening that was inconclusive and was told that at her young age, routine mammograms weren’t recommended. The usual guidance from health care providers is to start routine mammograms at age 40.

“Being told I was ‘too young’ could have been the end of the conversation, but listening to my gut saved my life,” Walls said. 

Nicole Walls, breast Cancer surivor

She pressed forward, scheduling further testing with her health care providers. Her persistence proved lifesaving. An ultrasound revealed abnormalities that led to an urgent referral to a cancer surgeon, where Walls was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. She later learned persistent night sweats can sometimes indicate a hidden cancer.

Walls underwent an aggressive treatment plan that included 16 rounds of chemotherapy, two surgeries, and the removal of a tumor and lymph nodes.

“Cancer doesn’t follow age guidelines, job titles or schedules — and neither should our approach to screening and care,” Walls said.

While the physical toll was significant, Walls says one of the most difficult parts of her journey was navigating access to care. She ultimately found support through Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso, which provided surgical care without hesitation.

“There were moments when treatment felt overwhelming, but I kept reminding myself that my fight was also showing others what resilience looks like,” Walls said.

An Advocate for Screening and Prevention

Walls’ cancer journey continued with radiation therapy last year. Today, she’s using her experience to advocate for early detection, patient self-advocacy and expanded access to screening. Her efforts focus on first responders and younger patients who may not fit traditional risk profiles.

Her message reflects the mission of World Cancer Day and Cancer Prevention Month, observed globally each year to raise awareness, encourage prevention and promote equitable access to cancer care.

“If sharing my story encourages even one person to advocate for themselves or get checked, then every hard moment was worth it,” Walls said.

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 early, 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.

The five-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined has reached a milestone 70% for people diagnosed from 2015 to 2021, up from 49% in the mid-1970s, according to the American Cancer Society.

State-level projections underscore the importance of early detection efforts in Texas. According to the American Cancer Society, Texas is expected to see more than 161,000 new cancer cases and more than 46,000 cancer deaths in 2026 — representing roughly 7.6% of all U.S. cancer cases.

Support the Cancer Screening Fund

With Texas projected to bear one of the largest cancer burdens in the nation, Texas Tech Health El Paso’s cancer screening fund plays a critical role in helping patients access early detection services that can dramatically improve outcomes.

Texas Tech Health El Paso is committed to expanding access to cancer screening and early detection through patient care, research and community support. The university’s cancer screening fund helps remove financial barriers for individuals who may otherwise delay or forgo potentially life-saving screenings.

Community members who wish to support cancer screening efforts and early detection initiatives can contribute to the Texas Tech Health El Paso cancer screening fund here.

Cancer in El Paso

Each year, nearly 3,500 El Pasoans are diagnosed with cancer, and many families are forced to leave the city for treatment.

The Fox Cancer Center, set to open in 2028, will ensure patients receive world-class care in El Paso, surrounded by the support of their families and community. This vision is made possible through the strength of academic medicine and community hospitals working together. Texas Tech Health El Paso’s partnership with University Medical Center of El Paso reflects a shared commitment to expand access to advanced treatments and comprehensive care close to home.

Currently, many El Pasoans must travel hundreds of miles for treatment, and for those who cannot afford to leave town, access to care remains out of reach. A recent feasibility study revealed that in 2021, 541 adult cancer patients from El Paso County received inpatient care elsewhere, representing 35% of all local inpatient cancer discharges. Of those, 244 traveled to MD Anderson in Houston.

Only 52% of patients completed their full course of cancer treatment locally that year. Another 356 received only partial care, and 66 never returned for treatment after diagnosis.

These statistics represent more than numbers; they reflect families forced to choose between fragmented care at home or leaving their support systems behind. The Fox Cancer Center will end that cycle by bringing early detection services, cutting-edge therapies and groundbreaking clinical trials directly to El Paso.

When the center opens its doors in 2028, it will help deliver compassionate, comprehensive care, elevate life-saving research, and bring opportunities for innovative clinical trials – right here, in the community we call home. 

Cancer warriors and their families will no longer face the emotional and financial burden of traveling far for treatment because world-class cancer care will be close to home. 

The Building Hope Campaign, which supports construction of the Fox Cancer Center, is a transformative effort to expand access to cancer care for families across West Texas and the Borderplex. Donors may fulfill pledges over multiple years, making it possible to create a lasting impact. Every gift, regardless of size, helps advance lifesaving care, offer hope, and shape the future of the region’s cancer center.

For more information about joining the campaign, contact Craig Holden at craig.holden@ttuhsc.edu or Becky Lee at Becky.Lee@ttuhsc.edu. 

At Texas Tech Health El Paso, we’re building more than a campus — we’re building a healthier, stronger Borderplex.

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Cancer Prevention Month

To mark Cancer Prevention Month, Texas Tech Health El Paso is highlighting the importance of early cancer detection, patient advocacy and equitable access to care through the story of breast cancer survivor Nicole Walls.