NCI Designation

The UNM Cancer Center is New Mexico’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.

We are one of just 66 premier cancer centers across the nation recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for scientific excellence, contributions to cancer research and delivery of medical advances to patients and their families. We earned our first highly prestigious NCI designation in 2005; now, after a competitive renewal process, we were re-designated in 2010 by the nation’s leading cancer agency for another five years.

What does our NCI designation mean for the people of New Mexico?

The UNM Cancer Center is committed to providing world-class cancer care to all New Mexicans right here at home. Our NCI designation means that we are among the nation’s best cancer centers, delivering cutting-edge treatments to today’s cancer patients and conducting ground-breaking research to bring even more advanced treatments—and, eventually, cancer cures—to the patients of tomorrow.

Who receives cancer care at the UNM Cancer Center?

The UNM Cancer Center treats over 65% of New Mexican adults and virtually all of the state’s children affected by cancer. In 2011, we cared for nearly 15,800 patients in a total of over 120,000 ambulatory clinic visits. We are proud to be one of only three NCI-designated cancer centers in the nation to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay. Last year, we provided $4.9 million in uncompensated cancer care.

What other benefits does NCI designation bring?

As an NCI-designated cancer center, we provide New Mexicans with access to clinical trials sponsored by the NCI and other leading cancer institutions. The New Mexico Cancer Care Alliance, our statewide clinical trials network, exists to connect patients and their doctors to the most promising experimental treatments available nationwide. Nearly 20% of patients we serve currently take part in clinical trials.

The UNM Cancer Center provides the best cancer care in New Mexico.

NCI designation is proof of our commitment to the health and well-being of all New Mexicans. We are grateful for the recognition, but focused on the goal: to bring the very best cancer care to New Mexicans right here in their home state, near the people and places they love.