Why I Became a Breast Cancer Surgeon

Dr. Danielle Bertoni MD, MPH

Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Dr. Danielle Bertoni, a breast surgical oncologist at BASS Cancer Center, and I’ve been treating cancer for 15 years. My journey to becoming a surgeon started when I was in medical school. As a child, I thought I wanted to be a pediatrician, but during my surgery rotation, I fell in love with surgery. I loved the idea that you could fix something with your hands while still using critical thinking. During my general surgery residency at Stamford, I was introduced to breast surgical oncology, a field I hadn't heard of before. A mentor recognized my natural inclination for the field and suggested I consider it. Although I was initially focused on working with children, I realized through my training that oncology was the path I wanted to follow. I loved every aspect of it—the clinic, tumor boards, and surgeries. However, my perspective shifted when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer while she was living in Connecticut. It was a difficult time, balancing being a busy surgical resident and dealing with my mother’s diagnosis. This experience deepened my understanding of the patient’s side of the journey. I also learned that I have a strong family history of breast cancer, as both my grandmother and my mom’s relatives had it. I realized I was a high-risk patient myself, which led me to learn more about what high-risk patients experience. As a breast surgical oncologist, I’m often the first to see a patient after they’re diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s important to me to take the time to explain the diagnosis, the stage of cancer, and the treatment options available, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Breast cancer treatment requires a multi-disciplinary approach, and I love working closely with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and radiologists to provide the best care for my patients. I look forward to meeting you. Please visit us at basscancercenter.com to learn more about me and how to schedule a visit.