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By Donna Breckenridge, Arizona Cancer Center
January 23, 2008

Dr. Michele L. B. Ley, a fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist, has joined the staff of the Arizona Cancer Center’s Peter and Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic at UMC North. She comes to University Medical Center from a private practice in Tucson.

Ley specializes in advanced surgical care for breast cancer patients, including sentinel lymph node biopsy, skin and nipple-sparing mastectomy, breast ultrasound, minimally invasive biopsy, cosmetic incisions and treatment of high-risk patients.

The co-author of several scholarly publications, Ley's research interests include general breast cancer prevention, genetic mutations and early detection and treatment of breast cancer in Hispanic populations. She also is exploring innovative surgical techniques to conserve breast tissue and improve cosmetic outcome after breast surgery.

Ley is part of the Arizona Cancer Center's multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment, joining a team of specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology, psychiatry, nutrition and genetic counseling. She has privileges at UMC and several other area hospitals to allow for patient choice and coordination of care.

Ley also will work closely with breast surgeon Julie E. Lang, assistant professor of surgery at The University of Arizona College of Medicine and the director of Breast Surgical Oncology for the Arizona Cancer Center.

"I am thrilled to be working with a multidisciplinary team of physicians and health care providers who are experts in the field of breast cancer treatment," Ley said. "Patients coming to the Cancer Center for breast care will benefit from our coordinated efforts in planning their treatment."

Ley earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Northwestern University and a medical degree from St. Louis University. She completed her general surgery residency at the UA and is board certified by the American Board of Surgery. She is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Breast Surgery and the Society of Surgical Oncology. Ley also completed a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.