Breast Surgical Oncology: Fighting Against Breast Cancer

 By: Dhyan Patel

Breast Surgical Oncology

Note: This article is part of a student-run educational series on medical specialties, based on research and/or shadowing (in person or virtual), in order to educate other students who are interested in healthcare careers and may lack the ability to shadow specialists in their areas.

Background

When most people hear the word “oncologists”, they often think of cancer doctors who just prescribe chemotherapy or radiation methods in order to deal with cancer. However, there is another group of specialists whose work is just as important, and they are known as breast surgical oncologists. These doctors use their surgical expertise with cancer care in order to diagnose, treat, and support patients who are fighting against breast cancer. 

So, what do they do?

A breast surgical oncologist is a doctor who focuses on diagnosing and surgically treating breast cancer. Unlike general surgeons, they have received specialized training in understanding how breast cancer develops, spreads, and responds to various treatment methods. The goal of breast surgical oncologists is to remove the cancerous tissue, while preserving as much of the healthy breast tissue as possible. 


Breast surgical oncologists perform various procedures such as lumpectomies (only the tumor and a small margin of tissue are removed) and mastectomies (removing one or both of the breasts, which can sometimes be followed by reconstruction). They also perform sentinel lymph node biopsies which help determine if the cancer has spread beyond the part of the breast. 


Their role also extends outside of performing surgeries as they also play a pivotal role in a patient’s cancer journey, from the original diagnosis to the follow-up care after the surgery. They also collaborate with a team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists in order to create treatment plans.


Some may also provide guidance on genetic testing which can help patients understand the inherited cancer risks. They may discuss preventive surgeries or other options for high risk gene mutations. By doing this, they don’t only treat cancer, but they work to prevent it from occurring in the future.


Required education and training

Similar to other medical fields, a breast surgical oncologist begins their path by earning a bachelor's degree typically in a science related field. This is then followed by four years of medical school. Afterwards, these doctors have to complete a general surgery residency which typically lasts five years. After that, those who wish to specialize further then must enter a breast surgical oncology fellowship, where they receive focused training in breast cancer diagnosis, surgical techniques, and care.


Importance

Breast cancer affects millions of people around the world and early detection of it combined with skilled surgical care has proved to dramatically increase survival rates. Due to the efforts of these breast surgical oncologists, the procedures that we have today are much safer and precise than ever before. They bring their expertise in order to guide patients through one of the hardest moments of their lives. These doctors have helped shape what was once a devastating challenge into one that many people can not overcome, but also recover from.

References

American Cancer Society. (2025). Breast Cancer Treatment | Treatment Options for Breast Cancer. Cancer.org. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/treatment.html#:~:text=Typically%2C%20treatment%20is%20based%20on,are%20also%20taken%20into%20account.&text=Who%20treats%20breast%20cancer?,repairing%20parts%20of%20the%20body

Cleveland Clinic. (2023, September 7). There are many types of breast cancer surgery. The primary goal of surgery is breast cancer removal. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8338-breast-cancer-surgery

Mayo Clinic. (2025). Curriculum - Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship (Minnesota) - Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. https://college.mayo.edu/academics/residencies-and-fellowships/breast-surgical-oncology-fellowship-minnesota/curriculum/#:~:text=Clinical%20training,cancer%20care%20for%20transgender%20patients.

Medschoolcoach. (2023, June 15). Breast Surgical Oncologist with Dr. Valentina Bonev - Virtual Pre-Med Education by MedSchoolCoach. Virtual Pre-Med Education by MedSchoolCoach. https://shadowing.medschoolcoach.com/lessons/breast-surgical-oncologist-with-dr-valentina-bonev/

Nuvance Health. (2025). Medical oncology for breast cancer. Nuvance Health. https://www.nuvancehealth.org/health-tips-and-news/medical-oncology-for-breast-cancer

UCHealth. (2015, June 19). What Does It Take to Become an Oncologist? UCHealth Today. https://www.uchealth.org/today/what-does-it-take-to-become-an-oncologist/#:~:text=Earn%20Your%20Bachelor%E2%80%99s%20Degree.,you%20can%20become%20an%20oncologist.

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