Breast cancer is a disease in which breast tissue cells start growing abnormally and uncontrollably. In the U.S., breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with the exception of skin cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. It can occur in both men and women, but it is rare in men.
As a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, City of Hope is internationally lauded for advancing the field of breast cancer through groundbreaking, evidence-based research, on-site innovative clinical trials, leading-edge treatment and premier patient care.
The most common form of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins with cells in the breast ducts, tubes that carry breast milk to the nipple. Less common forms of breast cancer include lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules — tissues that make breast milk — and inflammatory breast cancer, which causes the breast to become red, swollen and abnormally warm.
Precise breast cancer tests are crucial for treatment planning, and City of Hope is committed to providing exemplary breast cancer care, pairing state-of-the-art screening and prevention technologies with specialized experts to ensure an accurate, comprehensive diagnosis of breast cancer that is crucial to treatment planning.
Your breast cancer is every bit as unique as you are, and that is why breast cancer treatment is focused around you and your loved ones. Our physicians will personally consult with you about your disease, treatment options and desired outcomes. Afterward, our multidisciplinary specialists will work together to discuss, design and deliver an individual treatment plan to best meet those goals.
At City of Hope, breast cancer clinicians and researchers collaborate extensively to develop and evaluate new therapies for better survival and quality-of-life outcomes. Our patients have access to a wide variety of breast cancer clinical trials, including new chemotherapy, targeted and hormone therapies, surgical techniques, radiation approaches, and prevention strategies.
When you come to City of Hope, you automatically gain access to an unparalleled array of supportive care and long-term follow-up programs to help you and your loved ones manage the process of treatment and recovery.


World-class Breast Cancer Treatment and Care
City of Hope is a national leader in advancing research and treatment protocols. As a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, our doctors also help develop and improve evidence-based breast cancer treatment guidelines for patients throughout the country.
You can access our top-ranked breast cancer physicians, world-class cancer research expertise, leading-edge treatments and clinical trials at our main campus in Duarte and our more than 35 clinical network locations throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. We are committed to working with you to provide continuity of care that will help you successfully navigate and manage the process of diagnosis, treatment and transition to recovery.
Our Breast Cancer Program Highlights:
- Early detection, screening and prevention resources, including genetic counseling, paired with state-of-the-art breast imaging technology for more accurate and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment
- Breast cancer risk assessment based on genetics, personal lifestyle and environmental factors
- A deeply collaborative, multidisciplinary health care team comprised of experts in breast cancer, providing personalized care and a whole-person approach to treatment guided by your needs and background
- Advanced surgical techniques, such as nipple-sparing mastectomies, groundbreaking treatments and high-precision radiation, such as intraoperative radiation therapy, and immunotherapies
- Innovative, ongoing research and clinical trials, over 100 in breast cancer alone, of promising new therapies and ways to predict benefit from treatment
- A comprehensive supportive care program to address a wide range of cancer — and treatment-related concerns from diagnosis to remission and beyond
- Tests, consultations and treatments are coordinated and provided at our Women's Center for greater convenience.
- Long-term survivorship and follow-up program focused on minimizing recurrence risk and improving quality of life

Based on SEER results, City of Hope has superior breast cancer survival outcomes in the greater Los Angeles region, with a higher percentage of breast cancer survivors over the past 10 years.

Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.

Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.

Mari Bozoghlanian, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at City of Hope

Jeff Chang, M.D., M.S., is a plastic surgeon specializing in oncologic reconstruction, lower extremity salvage, and lymphedema surgery.

Dortha Chu, M.D, Ph.D., is a breast cancer surgeon at City of Hope's community practice site in Santa Clarita.

Mary Cianfrocca, D.O., M.B.A., is a medical oncologist at City of Hope's cancer research hospital.

Hang T. Dang, D.O., is a breast surgical oncologist specializing in breast cancer surgery at City of Hope | Newport Beach.

Moshe Faynsod, M.D., is surgical oncologist at City of Hope ǀ South Bay in Torrance, California.

Scott Glaser, M.D., is a radiation oncologist and an assistant professor of radiation oncology at City of Hope.

Lorena Gonzalez, M.D., spent five years as a noted vascular surgeon before deciding to follow a new path and focus on hereditary breast cancer.

Stacy W. Gray, M.D., is deputy director of the Center for Precision Medicine and associate professor and chief of the Division of Clinical Cancer Genomics within the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, and a secondary appointment in the Department of Population Sciences.

Veronica Jones, M.D., is a surgeon specializing in breast cancer surgery at City of Hope.

Violetta Karpova, M.D., is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology

Laura Kruper, M.D., M.S., is a breast cancer surgeon at City of Hope.

Lily Lai, M.D., is a colorectal surgeon and associate professor in the Division of Colorectal Surgery.

Sayeh Lavasani, M.D., M.S., is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer and an assistant professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research.

Wai-Yee Li, M.D., Ph.D., is a plastic surgeon specializing in breast and skin cancer reconstruction and lymphedema.

Joanne Mortimer, M.D., is a breast cancer oncologist and Director of Women's Cancer Programs at City of Hope cancer research hospital.

Niki Patel, M.D., is a medical oncologist in City of Hope's Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, specializing in breast cancer.

I. Benjamin Paz, M.D., is a nationally renowned surgical oncology surgeon, with expertise in breast cancer, gastrointestinal and rectal cancers, and tumors involving the bone and soft tissues.

Heather Player, M.D., is breast and colon cancer surgeon and an assistant clinical professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology at City of Hope. She practices at City of Hope | Antelope Valley and Mission Hills.

Amy Polverini, M.D., is a breast surgeon at City of Hope's Duarte and South Pasadena locations.

Jamie Rand, M.D., is an assistant professor in the Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery.

Hans Schoellhammer, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a surgical oncologist and melanoma expert at City of Hope.

Katharine Schulz-Costello, D.O., is is a breast cancer surgeon at City of Hope in South Pasadena and Arcadia.

Mina Sedrak, M.D., M.S., is a breast cancer oncologist and assistant professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope.

Nikita Shah, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor in the Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery.

Wade Smith, M.D., is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at City of Hope Newport Beach.

Daphne Stewart, M.D., M.S., medical oncologist at City of Hope's cancer research hospital.

Mark Tan, M.D., is a surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction and plastic surgery at City of Hope.

Lesley Taylor, M.D., is a breast cancer surgeon at City of Hope.

Lusi Tumyan, M.D., is chief of breast imaging at City of Hope cancer center near Los Angeles, CA

Nayana Vora, M.D., is a clinical professor at City of Hope, as well as a a nationally recognized authority on brachytherapy.

Lawrence Wagman, M.D., is a surgical oncologist at City of Hope | Upland.

James Waisman, M.D., is one of Southern California's best known and most respected experts on breast cancer.

Alex K. Wong, M.D., is a plastic surgeon and chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Wong specializes in reconstruction of defects and complex wounds after cancer treatment and surgery.

Lisa Yee, M.D., is a breast surgical oncologist at City of Hope's Duarte and South Pasadena locations.

Christina Yeon is a medical oncologist at City of Hope | South Pasadena and regional director for San Gabriel Valley.

John Yim, M.D., is a breast cancer, thyroid cancer and endocrine disorders surgeon.

Yuan Yuan, M.D., Ph.D., is an associate professor specializing in breast oncology in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research.