HOUSTON -- Note: The following story is a verbatim transcript of an Investigators story that aired on Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, on KPRC Local 2 at 10 p.m.

More than 1 million people across Houston do not have health insurance. Tonight at 10, Local 2 investigates why uninsured across the Houston area who are diagnosed with cancer have no guarantee they'll get treatment in area hospitals. Investigative reporter Amy Davis tells us about this growing problem.

The largest medical center in the world may be just miles away. But some uninsured cancer patients tell us they're having trouble getting any treatment there. And Local 2 Investigates discovered why no one may have any idea of how bad the problem has become.

Cynthia Dale Whitley is one tough contractor. But as she decides on flooring and cabinets, the lump in her breast is always on her mind.

"I need help. I have cancer," Whitley said.

Whitley has breast cancer. But she does not have health insurance and she's quickly finding out that's almost become as bad as the disease itself.

"He said it would take at least $12,000 down just to get started," she said.

The Huntsville grandmother is part of a growing number of working Texans who make too much money to qualify for immediate cancer assistance, but not enough to afford health insurance that would pay for treatment.

Whitley has no waited more than six months trying to apply for help or set up a payment plan to start her treatment. Meanwhile, she has no idea how bad the cancer has become.

"It's not like I've lived off the government all my life with my hand out. All I asked for was help," she said.

"The system is broken. It's not even breaking down anymore," said Dorothy Weston Gibbons, founder of The Rose.

Gibbons is trying to fill the gap.

"It's the working poor who have the most trouble getting treatment," Gibbons said.

Gibbons is the co-founder of The Rose, a breast cancer center that provides screening to thousands of uninsured women. But despite all it does, The Rose can only provide cancer treatment to a little more than 120 uninsured patients a year.

"I think these women would be dead. Seriously, I don't … I cannot imagine this area without The Rose," Gibbons said.

But for every patient centers like The Rose help. Doctors across southeast Texas tell Local 2 Investigates they know there are many more who simply don't receive treatment and die.

And not a single hospital or group we spoke with is keeping track of the uninsured cancer patients turned away.

Dr. David Krusleski works at a Fort Bend County community clinic.

"We have these men who are 50 years old, no insurance and they can't get treatment. We have to watch our patients suffer, literally, and I can't treat them," he said.

That's because many uninsured who need a cancer treatment rely on so-called state-funded safety-net hospitals -- hospitals that are caught in what may be a perfect storm. While the number of uninsured rises, state funding is going down.

Administrators at UTMB in Galveston admit they are close to a breaking point of sorts. There, a cancer committee must decide who receives treatment.

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center tells us it provided more than $220 million in charity care last year. But it's still not enough.

"There are more patients with cancer than any single facility or institution can take care of in this state," said Dr. Louis Foxhall, with M.D. Anderson.

Last week, Whitley finally found a doctor willing to do more tests to see if her cancer has spread. She's still searching for a hospital to allow her to pay over time for her treatment.

Leaders at The Rose tell us there is a federal program that would pay for thousands of women to receive cervical and breast cancer treatment. But they say the state only chooses the minimal coverage. They're hoping to change that later this month in Austin.

With or without insurance, everyone we spoke with said cancer prevention and screening are your best bets to beat the disease. We've provided a list of area clinics and charities that can help you with that.

More Information:

The Rose, 281-484-4708
Hope Through Grace, 713-668-HOPE
Gateway To Care, 713-783-4616
Healthcare for the Homeless
HEART of Montgomery County
Fort Bend Family Health Center, Inc., 281-342-4530
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
The University of Texas Medical Branch