Advancing cancer care: New approaches take shape in The Woodlands area

Among other hospitals in the area, St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital is also working on updates to its technology and range of providers this year, said Lisa Williams, director of patient care services.

At UT MD Anderson’s The Woodlands campus, Dr. Pamela Schlembach said targeted radiation treatment continues to advance, and multiple weeks of treatment are not always needed.

“Today, in some of our treatments, we could do them as quickly as one day,” she said.

Texas cancer statistics

• 148,598 new cancer cases projected in 2025
• 48,814 cancer deaths in 2025 in Texas
• 2nd leading cause of death in Texas

The approach

Cancer prevalence in Texas is concentrated in its most populous areas, but individual types of cancer see different rates of growth, according to data from the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Montgomery County, the most recent data available—from 2023—shows breast cancer incidence in Montgomery County was higher than statewide and Harris County numbers. Liver cancer, while lower, was rising by two cases per 100,000 people per year from 2018-22, the data shows.

Dr. Faraz Bishehsari, director of the gastroenterology research center at UTHealth Houston, said cancer treatment is generally moving toward patient-specific strategies.

“Our goal is to move toward a more refined form of precision medicine, one that considers not only which treatment to use, but potentially how and when to use it for each patient,“ Bishehsari said.

The impact

Early detection is key, said Jodie Tonn, a breast cancer survivor in The Woodlands.

Tonn was diagnosed at age 35 with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer in June 2024 and received care at both Memorial Hermann and Houston Methodist.

She started a support group in February at the Memorial Hermann-based Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center for local survivors age 45 and younger.

“Being able to talk to other young women that are going through the same thing and understand where you are in life was really important,” Tonn said.

Cancer patients and survivors can also find local support outside of the traditional hospital setting. Canopy, which offers over 45 programs and group activities for free to cancer patients from any hospital, celebrates its 10th anniversary this summer, Program Manager Marcella Herrera said.

Due to increased patient need, Canopy has expanded its hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 8 p.m., Herrera said.

“We’ve noticed cancer incidence is getting younger,” Herrera said.

Several area organizations, including the American Cancer Society, also provide transportation for cancer patients to appointments. Tracy Guara, director of regional integrated marketing for ACS, said lack of transportation is the main reason people miss appointments.

What to expect

Among local hospitals, Memorial Hermann plans to continue recruiting additional oncologists specializing in stomach, pancreas and liver cancers as those types of cancer continue to rise in The Woodlands area, Kendrick said.

Additionally, Herrera said additional counselors and a nurse navigator are being added to the staff at Canopy.

Houston Methodist has also added oncology staff recently, Guerrero said, as well as other specialists to continue to support cancer patients.

“Recent growth has included expanded subspecialty expertise in breast oncology, gastrointestinal oncology and hematology, along with additional infusion nursing support to meet rising patient demand,” she said.