The University of New Mexico Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams and the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center are combining forces to remind New Mexicans to get screened for cancer.
The Pit will host two Lobos Slam Cancer games, one on Feb. 10 for the men’s game and again on Feb. 28 for the women’s game.
According to the American Cancer Society, the mortality rate for many types of cancer is declining, but the incidence of cancer is on the rise.
“Early detection is key to fighting cancer, so scheduling screenings is a crucial first step in any cancer treatment,” said Yolanda Sanchez, PhD, Director and CEO of the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center.
In New Mexico, breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers make up the top four diagnosed cancers in the state, according to the American Cancer Society. Zoneddy Dayao, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the UNM Cancer Center, recommends that people talk to their doctors about when to start screening for cancer and which tests are best for them.
In addition to raising awareness of the importance of cancer screenings, February’s basketball games will also include survivors and their families as special guests. It’s a chance to celebrate survivors and honor those we have lost.
Tipoff for the Men’s game is 6 p.m., Feb. 10, against the University of Nevada Las Vegas Runnin’ Rebels.
Tipoff for the Women’s game is 7 p.m., Feb. 28, against San Diego State University Aztecs.
Please consider wearing purple to show your support for all cancer survivors and patients.
You can find tickets at www.golobos.com
For the Media
UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center physicians will be available before each game for media interviews.
Please contact Michele Sequeira or Jeff Tucker to make arrangements.
Erika Maestas, MD, will be on hand prior to the men’s game. Learn more about Dr. Maestas here
Charles Foucar, MD, will be available to the media prior to the Women’s game. Learn more about Dr. Foucar here
UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center
The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius.
Its more than 136 board-certified oncology specialty physicians include cancer surgeons in every specialty (abdominal, thoracic, bone and soft tissue, neurosurgery, genitourinary, gynecology, and head and neck cancers), adult and pediatric hematologists/medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and radiation oncologists. They, along with more than 600 other cancer healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, navigators, psychologists and social workers), provide treatment to 65% of New Mexico’s cancer patients from all across the state and partner with community health systems statewide to provide cancer care closer to home. They treated almost 15,000 patients in more than 100,000 ambulatory clinic visits in addition to in-patient hospitalizations at UNM Hospital.
A total of nearly 1,855 patients participated in cancer clinical trials testing new cancer treatments that include tests of novel cancer prevention strategies and cancer genome sequencing.
The more than 123 cancer research scientists affiliated with the UNMCCC were awarded $38.2 million in federal and private grants and contracts for cancer research projects. Since 2015, they have published nearly 1000 manuscripts, and promoting economic development, they filed 136 new patents and launched 10 new biotechnology start-up companies.
Finally, the physicians, scientists and staff have provided education and training experiences to more than 500 high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellowship students in cancer research and cancer health care delivery.