MSK breast medical oncologist Elizabeth Comen

Elizabeth Comen, MD

Breast Oncologist

Titles

Assistant Attending Physician

Clinical Expertise

Breast Cancer

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Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., (Eastern time)
Accepted Insurance Providers

Dr. Comen accepts the following list of insurance providers. Select your insurance provider to see more details.

Aetna

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (City of NY retirees only, starting 9/1/23)

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield New York

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Blue Cross Health Plus

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Carrum Health

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): Supplemental

Cigna

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem Essential

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO, DSN

Empire Essential

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Fidelis

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

First Health

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Healthfirst

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Magnacare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): Supplemental

MVP

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

Payor Type: Other
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): TBD

Oscar

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO/EPO

Oxford

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Qualcare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

UMR

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS

United Healthcare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Contact and Location

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Find a Convenient Location

Memorial Sloan Kettering has locations throughout New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester. These locations offer many services, including screening, chemotherapy, and medical testing.

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About Me

Education

MD, Harvard Medical School

Residencies

Mount Sinai Medical Center (New York)

Fellowships

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Board Certifications

Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology

I am a medical oncologist with expertise in treating all stages of breast cancer in people of all ages, including young women who have unique concerns about fertility.

Over the years, I have learned how terrifying a breast cancer diagnosis can be for my patients and their families. My practice is focused on providing personalized, compassionate care that is based on the most up-to-date research, diagnostic tools, and therapies. My patients, along with a team of experts from many different departments across Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), are my most important partners in developing treatment plans.

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Since college, I have never wavered in my choice of becoming a breast medical oncologist. A volunteer opportunity at a hospital boutique helping women with wigs and breast prostheses taught me that a patient’s experience with breast cancer encompasses so much more than just the biology of the disease. At the same time, some of my family members were affected by cancer, and I was fortunate to be exposed to leaders in the field. These experiences led me to work in a lab, where I studied the estrogen receptor. I was — and continue to be — fascinated by the science and ever-changing advances of breast cancer.

My research focuses on improving how we identify, prevent, and treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. I work to understand the environment in which cancer grows and how the immune system can play an important role in cancer development. I am also leading a clinical trial aimed at mobilizing the immune system to attack cancer early on in a patient’s diagnosis.

When patients first meet with me, they often feel as though the rug has been pulled right out from under them. One of the first things I ask is what they are most afraid of. Everyone is unique in their fears, so addressing those fears as well as needs and treatment goals helps us work together to create the most effective care plan.

At the end of each appointment, I hope each patient feels that they have been heard, understands their diagnosis, and is confident in the treatment plan we’ve created together. I also want them to know that they are not alone — we are here to help.

Beyond clinical care, I am passionate about communicating essential medical and scientific information to the public, particularly as it relates to women’s healthcare and wellness. I also have had the privilege of mentoring countless students throughout their academic and medical careers.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband and three young children. I also enjoy exercise such as running, yoga, dancing — you name it, I’ve tried it!

Awards and Honors

  • Castle Connolly: America's Top Doctors (2017-2023)
  • ASCO Merit Award
  • Young Investigator Award, Conquer Cancer Foundation (ASCO)
  • Breast Cancer Breakthrough Award, Department of Defense
  • The Lambert Foundation Award, Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Colleagues

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. I work closely with nurses, nurse practitioners, other doctors, and many other experts. We combine our expertise to provide comprehensive care to our patients at every step of their cancer journey.

See all Breast Medicine Service doctors

Clinical Trials

Smiling doctors in the lab
Find a Clinical Trial for You

Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.

You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.

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Research and Publications

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Comen’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

See all on PubMed

Disclosures

Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.

MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.

Elizabeth Comen discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • Cure Breast Cancer Foundation
    Intellectual Property Rights
  • Novartis
    Provision of Services
  • Pfizer, Inc.
    Provision of Services
  • Survivornet
    Ownership / Equity Interests; Provision of Services (uncompensated)

If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.

The information published here is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.


This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2021 through disclosure submission in spring 2022). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.

Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].


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