Advanced screening and personalized, leading-edge treatment options can make a lifesaving difference for breast cancer patients. The Breast Cancer Center at City of Hope® Chicago offers women and men in Illinois, Wisconsin and the surrounding areas access to innovative options in both breast cancer therapies and screening.
Every patient is unique. This is why our breast cancer specialists work with each patient to create a personalized treatment plan that takes into account her diagnosis, as well as her health needs and goals. Powered by a world-renowned, National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center in Southern California, City of Hope Chicago’s breast cancer team has expertise in minimally invasive and breast-conserving surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and targeted approaches such as immunotherapy and hormone therapy.
Breast Cancer Care in Chicago
As a patient at City of Hope Chicago, you will be paired with a world-class multidisciplinary team of cancer experts, all committed to treating you as a whole person. Our surgical, medical and radiation oncologists, as well as our supportive care specialists, collaborate directly with you to determine an individualized care plan that’s right for you. This patient-centered approach is part of our mission to treat all patients with the compassion and respect they deserve while caring for the whole person — mind, body and soul — as they navigate their cancer journey.
City of Hope has developed the Risk Management Tool (RMT) to help you determine whether you’re at an elevated risk of developing breast or other common cancers. It only takes a few minutes to answer some basic questions about yourself, your family history and your lifestyle. Once you’ve finished answering the questions, the RMT checks your risk for cancer and offers you an action plan to help you manage your risk and determine whether further tests or other interventions may be recommended. Try the Risk Management Tool today.
What Sets Our Chicago Breast Cancer Program Apart?
The Breast Cancer Center at City of Hope Chicago brings innovative treatments and screenings for breast cancer patients together under one roof. Our patients have access to:
3D mammography (breast tomosynthesis), the most advanced and effective form of mammogram technology available today
Breast-conserving surgical options, which can allow your surgeon to retain the nipple or skin of the breast after mastectomy
Advanced breast reconstruction and plastic surgery options, including placing implants during a mastectomy or rebuilding the shape and appearance of the breast after surgery
Genetic testing, to look for any inherited gene mutations that might increase your risk of getting certain kinds of breast cancer
Genomic testing, which involves testing cancer cells to understand what is driving their growth and, when possible, identifying targeted therapies or other treatments known to work against those mutations
Precision medicine options, such as immunotherapy and hormone therapy, designed to treat your cancer based on the results of genomic and other tests
Screening, genetic testing and counseling and risk-reduction recommendations and treatments for women with higher-than-average breast cancer risk
Fertility evaluations, to ensure that your sexual and reproductive health is taken into account – before, during and after treatment
Clinical trials investigating new potential treatments for breast cancer
Magnet®-designated nurse navigators, who will answer your questions and help you navigate your cancer treatment from day one
Supportive care experts, including clinicians and behavioral health specialists, to help manage the common physical and emotional side effects of undergoing breast cancer treatment
Our Chicago Breast Cancer Center Recognitions
Our program is also accredited and recognized by multiple national organizations for its dedication to clinical excellence. City of Hope Chicago’s Breast Cancer Center is:
The only Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence in Illinois and one of fewer than 70 such centers nationally, an accreditation given by the National Consortium of Breast Centers
Accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Cancer, a status granted to facilities that provide the highest quality care possible
Accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) for the last 37 years, recognizing our excellence in cancer care
Accredited as a Surgical Quality Partner by the ACS, a status earned through our participation in the CoC and National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers
Designated as a Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center by the American College of Radiology, with full accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound, ultrasound-guided breast biopsy and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Recognized by the American Society of Radiation Oncology’s APEx program (Accreditation Program for Excellence®) for providing high-quality, safe radiation oncology care
Certified by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification Program, which recognizes high-quality outpatient cancer care
Our Chicago Breast Cancer Experts
The Breast Cancer Center at City of Hope is co-led by radiation oncologist Karan Shah, M.D., M.B.A., and surgical oncologist David J. Winchester, M.D., who is accredited through the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Committed to compassion and innovation, our center offers leading-edge technologies and the innovative breast cancer screening techniques, delivered by a team dedicated to helping ensure you understand your diagnosis and make informed decisions about your care.
Carolyn Bhakta, M.D., is an oncoplastic breast surgeon at City of Hope Chicago.
Laura C. Farrington, D.O., is a medical oncologist at City of Hope Chicago. After spending most of her childhood caring for relatives with cancer, she believes she was born to be an oncologist.
Meng Gan, M.D., is a radiation oncologist with City of Hope in Illinois. Learn about her background, education and experience treating cancer patients.
“The unique environment here facilitates a team approach to care,” says Daniel Liu, M.D., a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at City of Hope Chicago. “When everyone is united to achieve a common goal, the results can be extremely powerful.”
As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at City of Hope Chicago, Aaron Pelletier, M.D., performs complex procedures that help improve appearance, reduce scarring and disfigurement, as well as rebuild or replace removed or injured body parts that may occur as a result of cancer and its treatment. He
Dr. Poosarla is the director of medical oncology for the breast program, where she specializes in treating breast cancer with leading-edge therapies.
For Karan Shah, M.D., M.B.A., radiation oncologist at City of Hope Chicago, a career in medicine was the inevitable choice. “Being a doctor allows me to merge my interest in the human body with my desire to make a positive difference in the world,” he says.
Karen Smorowski, M.D., radiation oncologist at City of Hope Chicago, knew she wanted to be an oncologist since she was 7 years old. “My uncle was diagnosed with cancer,” she says, “and I remember thinking even then that there had to be a better way to treat people with cancer.”
Dr. David J. Winchester, is a surgical oncologist with City of Hope Chicago, where he evaluates and treats patients with a variety of types and stages of cancer, primarily focusing on breast cancer, adrenal cancer, melanoma, parathyroid tumors, sarcomas and thyroid diseases.
Make an Appointment with Our Breast Cancer Team
If you have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, or if you wish to make an appointment to discuss which breast cancer screening options are right for you, call us at (877) 524-4673 to talk to a City of Hope breast cancer specialist.
City of Hope Chicago
Breast Cancer Center
2520 Elisha Ave.
Zion, IL 60099
New Patients: (888) 338-6077
Current Patients: (847) 510-2822
