Your Care at NYP
Breast Cancer at NYP: Care, Specialists, Locations, and Next Steps
Why Choose NewYork-Presbyterian
Why NYPAt NewYork-Presbyterian, we provide comprehensive breast cancer care for every stage of your journey, from screening and diagnosis to treatment and follow-up.
You’ll have access to two leading cancer centers — the National Cancer Institute-designated Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University and the Weill Cornell Medicine Meyer Cancer Center — as well as care at locations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley.
Patients benefit from a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach that brings together breast surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and supportive care specialists.
Left: Dr. Tessa Cigler, M.D., M.P.H., Medical Oncologist
Right: Dr. Lisa Wiechmann M.D. Breast Surgeon
Screening & Diagnosis
Screening & DiagnosisIf you are due for a screening, have symptoms, or are at higher risk, the first step is getting the right evaluation.
We offer advanced screening and diagnostic services to detect breast cancer early and clearly define next steps for careful planning.
Services include:
- Screening and diagnostic mammography
- Contrast enhanced mammography
- Breast ultrasound
- Breast MRI
- Image-guided biopsy
- Genetic counseling and risk assessment
If imaging shows an abnormality, your care team will guide you through next steps, which may include additional imaging, biopsy, or referral to a breast specialist.
If you are at higher risk, you may also be eligible for ongoing high-risk screening and prevention programs.
Our Women at Risk Program offers specialized screening, education, and risk-reduction strategies for people at higher risk of developing breast cancer. Additional services include genetic counseling, fertility preservation, nutrition support, rehabilitation, and mental health care.
Types of Breast Cancer
Types of Breast CancerBreast cancer is not one disease. Knowing the type helps guide treatment decisions.
We diagnose and treat all major types of breast cancer, including:
- Hormone receptor–positive breast cancer
- HER2-positive breast cancer
- Triple-negative breast cancer
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Your specific subtype helps determine which treatments are most effective and how your care plan is designed.
Treatment Options
Treatment OptionsIf you are diagnosed with breast cancer, your care team will create a personalized treatment plan based on your diagnosis and needs.
Treatment may include one or more of the following:
- Surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction)
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy, hormonal, antibodies, targeted, or immunotherapy
- Clinical trials
Treatment is often combined to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve outcomes. The timing of each treatment is personalized based on the type and stage of breast cancer — for example, surgery followed by radiation and/or systemic therapy.
All treatment is coordinated by a multidisciplinary team that works together to ensure care is appropriately timed and personalized.
Breast Surgery
Breast SurgeryOur breast surgeons specialize in both cancer removal and reconstruction, working closely with plastic surgery teams when needed.
We offer:
- Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy)
- Mastectomy (including skin- and nipple-sparing options)
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy
- Breast reconstruction (such as DIEP flap and implants)
Surgical planning is based on tumor type, stage, breast size, and patient preference, with the goal of removing cancer safely while preserving appearance when possible.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation TherapyRadiation therapy is often part of breast cancer treatment and may be recommended after surgery to help reduce the risk of cancer returning.
At NewYork-Presbyterian, radiation oncologists use advanced imaging and treatment planning techniques to deliver radiation as precisely as possible, while minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissue, including the heart and lungs.
Before treatment begins, each patient undergoes a planning process (“simulation”) to map the exact treatment area and ensure accuracy.
Treatment is tailored to each patient based on their diagnosis, type of breast cancer, and overall treatment plan. Radiation is typically given over several weeks, although shorter treatment schedules may be appropriate in some cases.
Radiation therapy is delivered as part of a coordinated plan that may include surgery, chemotherapy, or other systemic therapies.
During treatment, supportive care is available to help manage side effects such as fatigue or skin changes and to support recovery and quality of life.
Clinical Trials
Clinical TrialsOur physicians and researchers at Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine lead clinical trials for patients at all stages of breast cancer.
These studies provide access to new and emerging treatments that are being evaluated for safety and effectiveness, while also helping advance breast cancer research.
Clinical trials may be considered at different points in treatment depending on diagnosis and eligibility, and your care team will discuss options with you if appropriate.
Locations
LocationsBreast cancer care is available across the NewYork-Presbyterian health system, making it easier to access screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care close to where you live.
Our breast cancer specialists see patients at locations throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley. Care is coordinated across our hospitals and outpatient centers so your treatment plan stays consistent wherever you are seen.
This includes access to specialized services such as breast imaging, surgical care, radiation therapy, and medical oncology at select locations.
Find a location near you.
Find a Specialist
Find a SpecialistIf you are searching for answers, the most important first step is connecting with the right specialist.
We make it easy to get started:
- Find a breast cancer specialist
- Schedule a screening or consultation
- Get a second opinion
Our team will guide you through each step, from your first appointment through treatment and follow-up care.
This content has been reviewed by the following medical editors.
Awards & Recognition
NewYork-Presbyterian earns accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program of the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation by the NAPBC is given only to centers that voluntarily undergo a rigorous evaluation and ongoing review of their performance, and are committed to providing the highest level of multidisciplinary, quality breast care.
NewYork-Presbyterian earns designation as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology
The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center is designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute, an honor reserved for only 51 cancer programs in the nation.