Clay-Flores was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2024.
SAN ANTONIO — A press conference was held Tuesday to raise awareness about early detection of colon cancer, lead by Precinct 1 Bexar County Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores, who is personally battling the disease.
The press conference was held at the University Hospital, located at 4502 Medical Drive, in an effort to promote colon cancer screenings. Colon cancer is the second most fatal cancer for men and women, however, it often takes years for intestinal polyps to become cancerous so early detection is vital.
Clay Flores talked about her personal battle with colon cancer and was joined by Dr. Sandeep Patel, the medical director for gastroenterology at University Health and the doctor who found her tumor.
Clay-Flores was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2024. She said the news came as a shock since she was active and healthy. She said she was unaware that the medical guidelines for people at average risk to begin screenings is age 45. She was treated at University Hospital.
She and Dr. Patel urged people to know their risk factors and get timely colonoscopies and screenings to check for the disease before its too late.