Why Choose Us

Why Choose the UNM Cancer Center?

As the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico, we are dedicated to providing outstanding cancer care to all New Mexicans right here in our home state. In 2011, we treated over 65 percent of New Mexican adults with cancer and virtually all of the state’s children diagnosed with the disease. We cared for 15,742 patients in more than 120,000 ambulatory clinic visits. The UNM Cancer Center is honored to play a major role in delivering compassionate, cutting-edge cancer treatment to the people of New Mexico. We know first-hand how difficult a cancer diagnosis can be, and we are deeply committed to providing you with the best possible care.

If you are considering the UNM Cancer Center for your care, we hope you will read on to learn more about us. Please contact us if you have any questions. If you are already a UNM Cancer Center patient, we are grateful for the chance to serve you and your loved ones.

NCI Designation

The UNM Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in New Mexico. We are one of just 66 premier cancer centers in the nation designated by the NCI, the leading federal agency for cancer research and training. NCI-designated cancer centers are recognized for their scientific excellence, contributions to cancer research and delivery of medical advances to patients and their families. As an NCI-designated center, the UNM Cancer Center integrates world-class cancer research and cutting-edge care to help and heal today’s patients—and reduce the burden of cancer on future patients through new discoveries, treatments and cures.

Leading Cancer Experts

The UNM Cancer Center is home to New Mexico’s largest and most experienced team of cancer experts. Our associated physicians include 85 board-certified oncologists representing every cancer specialty and hailing from some of the nation’s best cancer centers, including MD Anderson, Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic. Our research team brings together 126 cancer scientists recruited from leading institutions worldwide. Supported by $60 million in annual funding, our researchers are making discoveries on the laboratory “bench” that we are working to bring to our patients’ “bedside” to better prevent, diagnose, treat and cure cancer.

New Home

In 2009, the UNM Cancer Center opened its $100 million, 206,432-square-foot, state-of-the-art cancer research and treatment facility in Albuquerque. This beautiful new home offers patients the latest cancer treatments and technologies in a serene, welcoming environment. Designed around the idea of treating the whole patient, the building features healing gardens, art alcoves and a meditation chapel. There is ample space to accommodate our array of patient and family support services, which complement and enhance cancer treatment. Sunlight, natural materials and healing colors create a warm environment; our chemotherapy infusion suite on the top floor offers a stunning view of the Sandia Mountains. All of these features reflect our belief that healing is a journey involving all aspects of a person’s being.

A History of Service

The UNM Cancer Center has a long history of service to the people of New Mexico and the citizens of our nation affected by cancer. Founded in 1971 by the New Mexico legislature as a research and public service project, the UNM Cancer Center has grown into one of the nation’s leading cancer centers. In 2003, we were recognized as the Official Cancer Center of the State of New Mexico by the state legislature. It is an honor—and a responsibility—that we take very seriously. We lead the way in cancer care and research in the state, and are making significant discoveries related to childhood leukemias, breast cancer and new diagnostic and treatment approaches that are contributing to cancer breakthroughs worldwide.

Community Partnerships

The UNM Cancer Center is proud to serve a region rich in multicultural and multiethnic diversity. We are committed to bringing world-class cancer care to every community in our region and ensuring that all New Mexicans benefit from the fruits of cancer research. The UNM Cancer Center is one of just three NCI-designated centers nationwide that treats patients regardless of their ability to pay. Last year alone, we provided $5 million in uncompensated cancer care.

Statewide Network

The UNM Cancer Center provides care to patients from every county in New Mexico; in fact, 44 percent of our patients live outside of Bernalillo county. To improve health care access for all New Mexicans, we have built an expanding statewide cancer care network with collaborative clinical programs across our region—in Las Cruces with Memorial Medical Center, in Farmington with San Juan Regional Cancer Center, in Santa Fe, in Roswell and in some of the most remote regions of our state.