Newswise — Magdalena Plasilova, MD, PhD, a specialist in breast cancer surgery and a passionate advocate for women’s health in Brooklyn, recently joined the surgical team at NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn.
A native of the Czech Republic, Plasilova previously served as chief of breast surgery and director of the breast center at Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center. She attended Charles University in Prague where she earned her medical degree, followed five years later by a doctorate in stem cell physiology and pathophysiology.
Plasilova completed research fellowships at Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center and at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and a breast surgery fellowship at Yale New Haven Health’s Smilow Cancer Hospital in Connecticut.
Based in Brooklyn and working in collaboration with the already outstanding breast cancer team at NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn under the auspices of Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone, Plasilova specializes in “hidden scar” surgery, an advanced surgical technique using small incisions in the armpit or in skin folds.
For women who undergo a more extensive procedure, Plasilova partners with plastic surgeon Alyssa Golas, MD, a specialist in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, with expertise in breast reconstruction.
“Dr. Plasilova, along with Drs. Janet Yeh and Agnes Radzio, are at the forefront of Brooklyn’s battle against breast cancer,” says Freya Schnabel, MD, director of breast surgery at Perlmutter Cancer Center. “Patients benefit from these highly trained specialists who utilize the most advanced surgical techniques and technology to enhance surgical precision and, ultimately improve outcomes and patient satisfaction.”
“We have made major strides to continually enhance and expand clinical services that deliver the highest quality of surgical care to patients in Brooklyn," says Prashant Sinha, MD, chief of surgery at NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn.
An Advocate for Early Detection, Community Outreach
Plasilova strongly encourages all women to begin annual breast cancer screening at age 40, or sooner, especially if there is a lump, nipple discharge, any change in breast appearance, or a family history of breast cancer.
“I have seen far too many women with more advanced disease who could have been treated sooner if this recommendation had been followed,” Plasilova says. “Until we have contrary definitive clinical evidence, we can save more lives, particularly in minority communities, by following these recommendations.”
Although breast cancer mortality has steadily decreased in the general population due to awareness and early intervention, Plasilova points out this has not been the case among people of color and immigrant communities, where women disproportionately suffer from more advanced stages of breast cancer.
“There is a lot of fear and misinformation about breast cancer, and strong social and cultural barriers that keep many women from accessing diagnostic and treatment services,” says Plasilova, who takes time to speak at community centers to raise awareness of breast cancer and the benefits of routine mammography screening. “I try to help educate women in our community as often as possible to reinforce the importance of early detection.”
For more information visit NYULangone.org or to make an appointment please call 718-630-7979.
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