The Houston Drive You May Not Have to Make Anymore

Nobody should have to hear "you have cancer" and then immediately think "now I have to drive to Houston."

 

But for too many Southeast Texas families, that's been the reality.

 

Riceland Healthcare CEO Saad Javed knows this personally. He grew up in Beaumont and watched his own grandmother travel outside the region for cancer treatment. "I've seen our community grow," he said, "but unfortunately I've seen our community decline in some ways. One way is health care services that were previously provided in Southeast Texas."

 

That's what drove him to do something about it.

 

What's Coming

Riceland's new cancer center - opening Summer 2026 on their existing campus - will bring comprehensive cancer care under one roof right here in Beaumont:

 

• Radiation oncology
• Medical oncology
• Chemotherapy
• Infusion services
• Early detection programs

 

The campus already includes an imaging center and outpatient surgery facility. Adding cancer care means patients can access more of their treatment journey locally without bouncing between Houston appointments.

 

It's Not Just About Medicine

Mandy Ashworth, Riceland's corporate quality and risk management director, made something clear: this isn't just about treatment. It's about how patients FEEL while going through treatment.

 

"This is very exciting for us to bring another cancer center to this community. It's very, very needed," she said. "Staff members aim to provide compassionate care alongside medical services - making patients feel welcomed from the moment they arrive."

 

Because when you're fighting cancer, how you're treated as a human being matters as much as the treatment itself.

 

The Bigger Picture

Beaumont already has Julie & Ben Rogers Cancer Institute and Cancer Center of Southeast Texas serving the community. Riceland's addition doesn't replace those - it expands options and capacity for a growing region.

 

Think about what this means practically: A woman in Lumberton gets her diagnosis locally, starts treatment locally, has her support system nearby, doesn't spend her energy on a 90-mile round trip while going through chemotherapy.

 

That's not a small thing. That's everything.

 

What You Can Do Now

The center opens Summer 2026, but early detection doesn't wait:

• Schedule that mammogram you've been putting off
• Get that colonoscopy your doctor mentioned
• Ask about family history screenings at your next appointment

The best cancer story is the one that starts with early detection before a cancer center is even needed.

 

For more information: ricelandhealthcare.com

Because Beaumont deserves healthcare that doesn't require leaving Beaumont.