The UCSD Breast Cancer Team

World-Class Physicians

We have two kinds of physicians at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and the Breast Cancer Unit: those who are famous in their fields and those who are going to be famous. While their names might not be household words in your neighborhood, they are in research circles. We’re making headlines here – just not the type that receive much public attention when they first appear in academic and medical journals. Eventually, though, the word gets out about the work done here, and the newspaper headlines follow.

Meet the Director

In addition to being one of the 2010 “Top Doctors” in San Diego Magazine’s annual “Physicians of Exceptional Excellence” survey, Anne Wallace, MD, FACS, director of the Breast Cancer Unit at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, has received other recognitions as well. She has in the past been honored as the Komen Foundation Breast Cancer Clinician of the Year and has received a Las Patronas grant for the development of a breast cancer resource center within the Cancer Center. She is board-certified in both general surgery and plastic surgery and has extensive experience in all aspects of breast health, specifically breast cancer, breast reconstruction, and breast anomalies. Dr. Wallace has also recently been appointed Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery. Her research interests include receptor binding imaging, the potential for fat grafting and stem cells in breast cancer reconstruction, and breast cancer prevention.

Specialists Team Up for You

Our breast cancer specialists all are leaders in their fields – the kind of people you want working on your behalf. Your integrated team of clinicians likely will comprise the following professionals from multiple medical disciplines:

• Surgical oncologist – will perform your operation to remove or destroy your cancer cells.
• Reconstructive surgeon – will work with you on restoring your breast to a more natural appearance after surgery.
• Medical oncologist – this physician will oversee your medical care and prescribed regimen, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, physical therapy, additional imaging studies and other medical procedures to cure your disease and monitor your recovery.
• Radiation oncologist – will consult about how radiation therapy can promote your recovery.
• Pathologist – this laboratory specialist will study the individual markers that make your cancer unique and work with other physicians to recommend your individual treatment plan.
• Nurse case manager – this registered nurse will coordinate your care and lead you through your protocol to recovery. In addition to your physicians, your nurse case manager is the team member you can go to with questions, concerns, issues, or requests for help or information.
• Social worker – can provide counseling to assist you with personal and family issues and refer you to community resources such as cancer support groups, patient financial assistance, and transportation.

Other members of your team may include:

• Palliative care physician – can help you manage pain, uncomfortable side effects and other physical manifestations of your treatment that inhibit you from a productive life.
• Psychologist or psychiatrist – can help you deal with the stress and psychological issues brought on by cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• Registered dietitian – can consult with you about your diet and nutritious ways to optimize your health and quality of life during cancer treatment and afterwards, to reduce chances of recurrence.
• Physical therapist – may be called in as part of our “Reach for Recovery” program if you had extensive surgery and need to regain range of motion in your arms and upper body.
• Volunteer cancer patient – has a unique perspective because she’s been there. She can understand what you are going through and is lending a hand to guide you through the process.