UNM Surgical Oncology pioneers new minimally invasive techniques in New Mexico for complex abdominal cancer surgeries “What is the recovery like? How soon can I get back to being normal again?” Victor Phuoc, MD, FACS, hears these questions routinely from his patients. Now, he can give them an additional option for surgery that can make their recovery even faster and easier. Phuoc, along with other cancer [...]
Free public conference on bone marrow failure diseases slated for March 30 The Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation (AAMDSIF) and The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center are sponsoring a free public information conference about different blood diseases and cancers. The conference will provide updates on diagnosis and treatment of these diseases and the latest research in these areas. Experts [...]
Legislators show off their basketball skills, but the real winners are New Mexicans facing cancer Play basketball and fight cancer? New Mexico’s state senators and representatives do it each year. The end-of-session Hoops for Hope basketball game benefits The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center patient care fund. The legislators enjoy playing, the spectators enjoy the show, and the annual game raises money to [...]
Mohs surgery and other dermatology procedures added to skin cancer treatments available Newly opened outpatient surgical suites at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center have enabled the addition of another set of treatments to its arsenal: Mohs surgery. “Mohs surgery is a technique used to remove skin cancers, such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, that occur in cosmetically [...]
UNM Basketball helps raise breast cancer awareness at the Feb. 9 Women’s game and Feb. 16 Men’s game The University of New Mexico Men’s and Women’s basketball teams hope to see a sea of pink in support of breast cancer fighters and survivors at their Lobos Love Pink games in February. The Lady Lobos tip off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, against the University of Nevada [...]
Full-time medical oncology services to start in Silver City area in early 2019 The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center announced today that newly hired staff physician Antonio Fontelonga, MD, will provide medical oncology care at Gila Regional Cancer Center starting in early 2019. UNM Cancer Center provides cancer doctors and a physician assistant at Gila Regional Cancer Center, operated by Gila [...]
A drug that scientists at the UNM Cancer Center discovered could lead to new treatments in the next few years Fifteen years after a chance meeting started their partnership, a compound Jeffrey Arterburn, PhD, and Eric Prossnitz, PhD, discovered may lead to new skin cancer treatments. Arterburn, at New Mexico State University, and Prossnitz, at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, met after a regional scientific conference in [...]
Polly Rogers Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at UNM Cancer Center surpasses $100,000 with $37,000 donation “Seeing her suffer for 11 months was a difficult thing to do, and there was nothing we could do about it,” Josh Rogers says about witnessing his mother’s battle against pancreatic cancer. The diagnosis in July 2008, had taken their family by surprise. Polly Rogers was a healthy non-smoking wife [...]
Unique Rock Band N.E.D. Helps Patients and Doctors Heal by Spotlighting Cancer Research and Treatment The words ‘no evidence of disease’ sound like the most beautiful music to people with cancer. It means the cancer no longer poses a threat to their health and happiness – and that the treatment they’ve undergone is helping their body keep the cancer at bay. So naturally, a band [...]
Three doctoral students to represent UNM Cancer Center at International AACR Translational Biology Workshop Muskan Floren, Richard Pepermans and Melanie Rivera spend lots of time in their labs, but they hope their work will reach outside of it. Each would like to create better screens, detection tools or treatments that help people beat cancer. The three doctoral students at The University of New Mexico [...]
UNM Cancer Center First in New Mexico to Use New Targeted Therapy for Neuroendocrine Cancer. Atom Swap Converts Imaging Agent into Potent Radiation Treatment. Neuroendocrine cancer is rare and hard to diagnose – and it can be difficult to treat and to survive. Its tumors can disrupt the body’s hormones and food transit through the bowels, causing an array of nonspecific symptoms that may not be diagnosed before the cancer spreads. The number of [...]
New clinical trial to use $750,000 grant and novel ‘Whole-of-Day’ approach to help cancer survivors become more active Exercise helps people at any age become healthier. But people who have just completed cancer treatment may not always feel well enough to exercise regularly. So Cindy Blair, PhD, wondered if increasing their physical activity throughout the day might improve their health. Blair’s recently awarded five-year $750,000 grant will allow [...]
Joint statement urges parents, young adults and physicians to take action The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center has joined the other 69 cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute to issue a statement urging increased vaccination for human papillomavirus. Nearly 80 million Americans, or one in four people in the United States, are infected with HPV. Of those, [...]
Proceeds from 5K run/walk on June 3 will benefit the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center Polly’s Run, a fundraiser to support pancreatic cancer research, will take place Sunday, June 3, at Tiguex Park near Albuquerque’s Old Town. The event will feature a 5K run/walk that starts at 8:30 a.m. and a Kid’s K that starts at 9:30 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Polly Rogers Pancreatic [...]
Fourth annual swimming fundraiser slated for May 19 The ‘Splash Away Cancer!’ event will take place Saturday, May 19. The swimming fundraiser supports cancer research and patient care programs at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. The event is sponsored by the Lobo Aquatic Club, UNM Recreational Services and New Mexico Masters Swimming. The ‘Splash Away [...]
Fundraising event slated for Sept. 8 includes bike rides and run/walk Organizers of the second annual Lobo Cancer Challenge have opened registration. The event will take place Sept. 8 at Dreamstyle Stadium. In addition to the 100-, 50- and 25-mile bike rides, the organizing team is adding a 5K run/walk this year. Proceeds benefit The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer [...]
Cancers of the colon and rectum are the third most common cancers in men and women but they can be cured, especially when caught early While some enjoy the basketball madness, Heloisa Soares, MD, PhD, gets excited about March’s status as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. “Colorectal cancer is one of the cancers that we can actually prevent,” she says. An awareness month, she says, helps to remind people to talk to their healthcare providers about [...]
Annual ‘Ride for the Cure NM’ motorcycle ride on March 24 to help New Mexico families fighting cancer What The annual ‘Ride for the Cure NM’ motorcycle ride raises money and awareness for cancer research and treatment in New Mexico. The ride is open to all motorcyclists for a $20 entry fee and to passengers for a $5 entry fee. The family fun event includes music, food, beer [...]
Viruses need to get inside a cell to make more viruses. Grants worth $2.7 million will help Michelle Ozbun, PhD, learn how HPV sneaks in. Michelle Ozbun, PhD, enjoys the process of scientific discovery. “We have no idea what we’re going to find out,” she says. Ozbun is referring to the two grants she was awarded to study human papillomavirus infection and cell signaling. Her two-year, $960,000 grant from Johnson & Johnson will focus on [...]
Free public forum for myelodysplastic syndromes patients, families and caregivers slated for March 3, 2018 What The Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Foundation and The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center are sponsoring a free public information forum about MDS. Why Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of bone marrow disorders. Bone marrow is the soft spongy tissue inside certain human bones that creates blood cells. In [...]
Lobos Love Pink games Feb. 10 and Feb. 14 raise awareness for breast cancer, celebrate survivors, and honor those who have lost to it The University of New Mexico Men’s and Women’s basketball teams will hold their ‘Lobos Love Pink’ games during the same week to raise awareness for breast cancer and to honor all those who face it. The Lady Lobos tip off 2:00 pm Saturday, February 10, against the Air Force Falcons. [...]
Annual ‘Hoops 4 Hope’ basketball game benefits patient care at UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, slated for Feb.5 New Mexico’s senators and representatives will face each other in an end-of-session, hotly contested basketball game February 5. The Senate “Lobos” have beaten the House of Representatives “Aggies” in the last four consecutive games. But, everyone on the court and in the stands knows that the real opponent is cancer. [...]
Dr. Cheryl L. Willman of the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), the organization announced Tuesday. Election to NAI Fellow status is the highest professional accolade bestowed solely to academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit [...]
UNM Athletics and UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center sponsor football game on October 20, 2017, to raise awareness for breast cancer To celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The University of New Mexico Lobos and UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center are sponsoring the “Lobos Love Pink” Football game on Friday, October 20, 2017. The Lobos will face the Colorado State Rams in Dreamstyle Stadium beginning at 8:15 pm. A ceremony during a game [...]
Public invited to listen to expert panel discussion on October 20, 2017 An expert panel on women’s cancers and human papillomavirus (HPV) will assemble at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center on October 20, 2017. The panel will give remarks and answer questions on women’s cancers, HPV and their impact worldwide. The panel features Shobha S. Krishnan, MD, FAAFP, a [...]
“Pink Your Ride — MIA” slated for October 14, 2017 What The Turquoise Trail Harley Owners’ Group is teaming up with Thunderbird Harley Davidson for the third annual “Pink Your Ride — Motorcyclists Increasing Awareness (MIA)” motorcycle ride. This year, the groups hope to welcome more than 100 riders to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. Proceeds will benefit [...]
Promising new drug targets solid tumors; phase 1A clinical trials successfully completed The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center played a key role in the first clinical trials of a new drug that targets solid cancer tumors. The Phase 1A clinical trials mark the first time ever the drug was used in people. It opened at several sites across the country. [...]
The state’s largest cancer research fundraiser gears up for annual event on October 6, 2017 What Cowboys for Cancer Research will hold its 35th annual dinner, dance and silent auction fundraising event to raise money and awareness for cancer research in New Mexico. The event, sponsored by Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, will feature music by Neal McCowan and the Good Time Gang. All [...]
UNM Cancer Center Stem Cell Transplant program began treating New Mexicans with blood disorders more than one year ago The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center began helping New Mexicans with blood disorders a little more than one year ago. Since then, more than 30 New Mexicans have received treatment. Program Director Matthew Fero, MD, FACP, started the program after moving to New Mexico from the Fred Hutchinson [...]
Helping to Enhance Research in Oncology program offers free public educational talks Saturday August 19 What The Helping to Enhance Research in Oncology program will hold its tenth annual celebration event. The event honors those on cancer clinical trials and raises awareness for the importance of cancer clinical trials. The event will offer public information sessions about clinical trials. Why Clinical trials are research studies [...]
Designation from the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation places UNM Cancer Center in listing of international referral sites The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center has received designation as a Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation Center of Excellence. The designation puts UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center on the MDS Foundation’s list of international sites to which people with blood disorders may go to receive treatment. The designation also gives the [...]
New bike ride event on September 23 to support New Mexicans with cancer The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center has opened registration for the inaugural Lobo Cancer Challenge. Cheryl Willman, MD, Director and CEO of the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, said that the Lobo Cancer Challenge is a new bike ride fundraising event. She said event proceeds will help to ensure [...]
Ursa Brown-Glaberman, MD, receives NCI’s prestigious Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award for her work in clinical research Yesterday, Ursa Brown-Glaberman, MD, received the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award. The award was presented at a public meeting of the NCI’s Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee. Brown-Glaberman is an Assistant Professor at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. She specializes in [...]
Women who receive human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, in addition to a pap smear, receive a faster, more complete diagnosis of possible cervical precancer, according to a study of over 450,000 women by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and the University of New Mexico (UNM) Comprehensive Cancer Center. HPV is [...]
Article by UNM Cancer Center Scientist describes HPV vaccine efficacy and use; American Society of Clinical Oncology shares at international annual meeting Cervical cancer affects more than half a million women and causes more than a quarter of a million deaths each year globally. Almost all cervical cancers result from a human papillomavirus, or HPV, infection. HPV infections cause cancers in other parts of the body, too. But the latest HPV vaccine [...]
Class in tying, wrapping and twisting scarves helps women with hair loss due to cancer treatment What The free Art of the Scarf workshop to teaches women how to tie, wrap or twist scarves for headwear. The workshop is offered every second Thursday of the month at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. The workshop is open to all patients, survivors with long-term hair [...]
Largest pancreatic cancer fundraiser in New Mexico takes place June 4, 2017 What The eighth annual “Polly’s Run” raises awareness for pancreatic cancer, honors pancreatic survivors and all those who face the disease, and raises money for pancreatic cancer research. Albuquerque Pet Memorial Services sponsors the event. All proceeds benefit The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. Why Polly Rogers battled [...]
Third annual swimming fundraiser takes place Saturday, May 20, to support cancer research and patient care programs at UNM Cancer Center. What The third annual “Splash Away Cancer!” fundraising event takes place May 20, 2017. All proceeds support cancer research and patient care programs at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. The event is sponsored by Lobo Aquatic Club, 93.3 KOB-FM, UNM Recreational Services, New Mexico Masters Swimming, Genesis [...]
Black-tie event, slated for May 20, 2017, has raised more than half a million dollars in past nine years Like a pack of lobos facing a foe, Season Elliott and her team are gearing up to fight cancer. Elliott leads the volunteer organizing team for the Lobos vs. Cancer Gala event, which will celebrate its tenth year on Saturday, May 20. The event raises money for cancer research and [...]
Third annual Kevin Rudi Superhero 5K Fun Run takes place April 29 in
Las Cruces, raises money for cancer research at UNM Cancer Center What The Kevin Rudi Foundation will host its third annual Superhero 5K Fun Run to raise money for sarcoma research at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. Why Kevin Rudi was 27 years old when he passed away November 12, 2014, from spindle cell sarcoma. His New Mexico [...]
“Ride for the Cure NM” event slated for March 25 What The “Ride for the Cure NM” event is an annual motorcycle ride to raise money and awareness for cancer treatment and research in New Mexico. Why The ride benefits patient programs and cancer research at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. The ride started 11 years ago [...]
NCI’s Screen 2 Save program seeks to increase colorectal cancer screening rates, decrease cancers; program is part UNM Cancer Center’s outreach The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center joined the National Cancer Institute and about 48 other sites to increase colorectal cancer screening rates. Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancer types, of the more than 100 known cancer types, for which screening has been proven to reduce the [...]
The New Mexico Senate “Lobos” tip off against the House of Representatives “Aggies” on Wednesday, March 1, at Santa Fe High School. The hotly-contested game is a fun event for those on the court, on the bench and in the stands. But everyone knows that the real opponent is cancer. [...]
UNM Lobo Men’s and Women’s Basketball honors those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer with games on Feb.14 and Feb. 18 To celebrate Valentine’s Day, The University of New Mexico Lobo Men’s and Women’s basketball teams are joining forces to honor all those who have beaten breast cancer, still face it, or have lost to it. They plan to hold their Lobos Love Pink basketball games during the same week to [...]
New drug blocks cells from producing a reactive oxygen species, could help to manage chronic and aging diseases, including cancer The mysterious, complex and inescapable process of aging often comes with chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Recently, scientists at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center uncovered new details of the aging process. The team also discovered a new class of drugs that combats an important [...]
UNM Cancer Center Scientist co-leads international drug targets effort to create open-source archive for drug discovery, development, and safety Most aspirin users don’t know what aspirin does to make you feel better. Most doctors and scientists didn’t know, either, until recently. In fact, scientists know how only a handful of drugs really work and they know that drugs can have different effects on different people. That’s why Tudor Oprea, [...]
New clinical trial offers combination therapy to directly kill cancer cells and teach the immune system to keep them from coming back. Fewer than half of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer live for five years or more. Sarah Adams, MD, hopes her new clinical trial will change this outcome. Adams recently opened a clinical trial at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center to test a new approach to defeat ovarian [...]
