Associate Professor of Surgery, Surgical Oncology
Duke University School of Medicine
Dr. Jennifer Plichta is an Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the Breast Risk Assessment Clinic at Duke University, where she cares for patients with breast cancer, benign breast problems, and those with an increased risk of breast cancer. She is also the Co-Director of the Clinical Cancer Genetics Program with the Duke Cancer Institute. Her clinical interests include establishing routine breast cancer risk assessment for women undergoing annual mammography and creating personalized management strategies for those found to be “high risk”.
Dr. Plichta’s research focuses of identifying and managing women with risk factors for breast cancer, including those with genetic mutations, such as BRCA, those with abnormal breast biopsies, and those with a family history of breast cancer. She is also studying how breast cancer staging can be used to improve patient care and education.
However, her dedication to breast cancer extends beyond her clinical and research interests. She also enjoys educating the community about breast cancer and helping to raise money for breast cancer research and education. She was the creator and primary coordinator of Duke’s free breast education day for the community, “What’s best for breasts?” held annually at Duke.