Breast Cancer Team

Our Breast Team offers the full spectrum of care, from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship. Comprising breast surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and others, the team blends each provider’s expertise to create a treatment plan for each woman.

Guiding You Through Treatment

Our nurse navigators guide you in your cancer treatment and serve as a regular point of contact. The breast cancer team's nurse navigators are Diane Nielson, RN, BSN, CNBN, CBCN, and Julie Rodriguez, BSN, RN, OCN.

Advanced Care

Every care team at the UNM Cancer Center collaborates with our researchers to help translate recent science discoveries into the most advanced cancer care available in New Mexico. Some of these advanced treatments may be offered through clinical trials.

Cancer Clinical Trials

Fortunately in breast cancer, most patients are cured of their disease...The key is to find the disease early when it is still curable.

— Ursa Brown-Glaberman, MD

What Each Team Member Offers

Medical Oncologists

OUr medical oncologists diagnose and treat cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. At UNM Cancer Center, they also manage breast cancer clinical trials in these areas.

Surgical Oncologists

Our specialty breast surgeons use the latest technology to assess and treat breast cancer. They perform excisional biopsies to assess suspicious tumors., and they work with the entire Breast team to create a final treatment plan. Our surgeons offer nipple-sparing and skin-sparing surgery to treat breast cancer or to reduce its risk.

Radiation Oncologists

Treat cancer using radiation. Radiation kills cancer cells and radiation oncologists manage how much radiation to use and how it is given. Radiation oncologists at UNM Cancer Center offer stereotactic body radiation, stereotactic surgery, intensity modulated radiation therapy and high-dose rate brachytherapy radiation.

Oncology Radiologists

Find breast cancer in mammograms. Our radiologists are experts in reading mammograms and have many years of training and practice.

Reconstructive Surgeons

Reshape or rebuild parts of the body. At UNM Cancer Center, our reconstructive surgeons offer microsurgical flap surgery, deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap surgery, and fat grafting.

Advanced Practice Providers

May give medications or injections, take medical histories, perform medical exams or perform certain medical procedures under the guidance of a physician.

Cancer Genetic Counselors

Help you learn about your risk of getting cancer based on your and your family's medical history. The counseling may lead to genetic tests for you or members of your family.

Meet the Breast Cancer Team

Many experts collaborate to offer you the best care and treatment.

Cancer Nutritionists

Help people fighting cancer get through their treatment. Instead of prescribing drugs, they prescribe foods that will help them with their health.

I tell patients, don’t hesitate to ask for help (during cancer treatment). This is the time to ask.

— Ernestine Trujillo, MS, RD, LD, cancer nutritionist

Learn more: In-depth from the National Cancer Institute

Breast Cancer Screening

The content below is provided by the National Cancer Institute. Please contact the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center at 505-272-4946 for more information.

Treatment

The content below is provided by the National Cancer Institute. Please contact the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center at 505-272-4946 for more information.

Treatment for Males

The content below is provided by the National Cancer Institute. Please contact the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center at 505-272-4946 for more information.