How Do I Get Access to Clinical Trials if I Have Breast Cancer in New Mexico?

What Clinical Trials Are

A clinical trial is a carefully designed research study that tests new ways to treat or manage cancer. Every trial is reviewed for patient safety and follows strict federal guidelines. Trials can include testing new drugs, new combinations of treatments, or new approaches to supportive care.

Not every trial is about “last resort” therapies — many are designed for patients at early or moderate stages of breast cancer.

Patients may wonder: Are clinical trials safe? How do I qualify? What happens if the new treatment doesn’t work? Will it cost me money? Will I be given a placebo?

Each trial has eligibility criteria, and patients are closely monitored by their care team. The goal is to provide the most effective and safe treatment options possible. Your doctor will talk to you about next steps if the treatment does not work. You can also stop a clinical trial at any time — this is a decision you and your doctor make together.

Some clinical trial costs may be paid by the study sponsor. Many clinical trials include some standard treatments your insurance will pay for. Before you join a clinical trial, the study coordinators will discuss potential costs with you.

No one on a cancer clinical trial receives a placebo alone. Everyone on a cancer clinical trial gets the clinical trial treatment or gets the standard of care.

Early detection and clinical trials often go hand in hand. Detecting breast cancer at an earlier stage not only improves outcomes with existing treatments but also opens the door for more patients to participate in trials testing promising new therapies. Together, early diagnosis and trial participation give patients the best chance at both immediate treatment success and long-term advances in care.

Access in New Mexico at CHRISTUS St. Vincent

At CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center, we are committed to making sure New Mexicans don’t have to travel far to participate in leading-edge cancer research.

Under the direction of Dr. Ursa Brown-Glaberman, our Clinical Trials Program brings opportunities once limited to large academic centers directly into the community.

Dr. Brown-Glaberman has pioneered ways to expand access by partnering with oncologists across the state, ensuring that rural patients have the chance to participate in trials close to home.

She is nationally recognized for her leadership in innovations in breast cancer treatment, including new targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and antibody-drug conjugates designed for specific tumor mutations.

Her work means that patients in New Mexico can benefit from these advances right here, without leaving their support networks.

Questions Patients Often Ask

Are clinical trials safe?

Yes. Every trial follows strict federal guidelines, requires informed consent, and patients are monitored closely for safety throughout the study.

What do terms like Phase 1, Phase 2, or Phase 3 mean in clinical trials?

Phase 1 trials test safety, Phase 2 trials test effectiveness, Phase 3 trials confirm results with larger groups, and Phase 4 trials track long-term outcomes once treatments are approved.

Will joining a clinical trial affect my ability to receive standard treatments later?

No. Trials are designed so patients can still receive standard treatments if needed. The care team ensures options remain open.

What support services are available for patients enrolled in trials?

Patients typically receive extra monitoring, coordination by research staff, and support services such as nurse navigators and counseling. 

How do I know if I qualify for a clinical trial?

Your doctor and a member of the research team will carefully review all the trial criteria to make sure you qualify.

What kinds of breast cancer clinical trials are available in New Mexico?

Across the state there are multiple clinical trials for breast cancer. At CHRISTUS St. Vincent, we have trials for both early stage and advanced breast cancer. The best place to start is to ask your doctor.

Why should I consider a clinical trial if I already have standard treatment options?

Because many clinical trials add to or improve the standard of care. You might have access to something new which will help treat your cancer in a more effective or less toxic way.

How can clinical trials help improve survivorship and quality of life?

Many trials are looking at ways to help cancer patients live better. This can be by testing modifications to standard treatment to make it less toxic, by testing new treatments, and by adding additional support to standard care.

How do clinical trials work alongside early detection efforts?

Some clinical trials help to develop blood-based tests for finding cancer at its very earliest stages. CHRISTUS participates in several research studies that collect blood to help scientists learn about early cancer detection.

If I have advanced or stage 4 breast cancer, can I still join a clinical trial?

Yes. Some of the earliest and most important advances are in patients with Stage IV cancer.

Are there clinical trials for hard-to-treat breast cancers like triple-negative?

Yes. While there will not be a trial for every patient, many trials are focused on hard to treat and aggressive cancers like triple negative (ER/PR/HER2 negative) breast cancer.

What are some of the newest treatments being tested in trials?

We have multiple clinical trials using antibody-drug conjugates (targeted chemotherapy) and immunotherapy in various cancer types, including breast cancer.

Do I have to be very sick to join a trial, or can patients with early-stage breast cancer also qualify?

It depends on your case, but many early-stage breast cancer patients participate in clinical trials.

Talk with Our Team About Clinical Trial Opportunities

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, clinical trials may be an option worth exploring. Talk with your doctor about your options. Our research team can walk you through eligibility, what to expect, and how to take part.

Call our Cancer Center Research team today to learn more about breast cancer clinical trial opportunities at CHRISTUS St. Vincent. Our research team is here to help you explore your options, understand what participation involves, and see if you might be eligible.

Call 505-913-3027