Nour Abuhadra, MD

My familiarity with breast cancer predated any medical training. Awareness of the most prevalent cancer in women had always been packaged in the form of fundraisers, marathons, and pink paraphernalia — a campaign I supported long before I realized that awareness was just the tip of the pink ribbon. As I met the women whose lives had been impacted by this disease, it shifted my mindset — I felt an obligation to turn that awareness into action. Now, as a breast medical oncologist, I am privileged to turn that awareness into action every day.

In addition to my clinical practice, I am also a clinical investigator, and my research focuses on characterizing the immune microenvironment of breast tumors to inform treatment selection. I have a special interest in triple-negative breast cancer and rare breast cancer types, in particular, an aggressive subtype known as metaplastic breast cancer. As our understanding of breast cancer evolves, it is exceedingly clear that therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Therefore, personalizing care will undoubtedly improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Not only will our patients have a better response when treatment is tailored to their specific tumor biology but also a better side-effect profile when they are only receiving treatment that is necessary. I have presented some of these research findings at national and international conferences, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, European Society of Medical Oncology, and San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

I work closely with my colleagues in breast imaging, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and plastic surgery to deliver the highest quality of care. I am dedicated to guiding my patients through their diagnosis, providing clear and comprehensive education on treatment options, including innovative clinical trials that are available at MSK. My goal at the end of every clinic visit is for my patients to have a clear understanding of what lies ahead. I want them to feel confident in their personalized treatment plan and empowered to make informed decisions on their cancer care. Above all else, my patients will leave clinic knowing that our entire team is here to help them navigate this journey together.