FROM GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH TO HYPER-SPECIALIZED CARE: HOW THE CHIEF OF STATEN ISLAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL’S BREAST PROGRAM AND HIS PASSIONATE TEAM ARE BUILDING A WORLD-CLASS BREAST CENTER RIGHT HERE IN THE BOROUGH

BY AMANDA McCOY • PHOTOS BY AMESSE PHOTOGRAPHY

very October, a pink wave washes over the country. The first Breast Cancer Awareness campaign launched in 1985, led by former first lady and breast cancer survivor Betty Ford, and every year since, public health organizations, private businesses, and individuals across the nation come together, donning pink, to raise money for clinical research and educate the public about this life-threatening disease.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancer diagnoses for women, accounting for nearly one-third of new cancer cases annually. However, advancements in research and treatment have significantly improved survival rates. Since the 1980s, the five-year survival rate has risen from 79.5% to 92%, with localized breast cancer now boasting a 99% survival rate. These strides are largely attributed to cutting-edge surgical and treatment approaches and improved diagnostic methods in early detection, all available to Staten Island residents through Staten Island University Hospital’s (SIUH) Florina Comprehensive Breast Center.

Leadership with a Vision

This isn’t the first time Mehran Habibi, MD, has been tapped with growing a world-class breast center; prior to joining SIUH, the decorated surgeon played a key role in building the breast cancer program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. He is now bringing his expertise and vision to Staten Island. “When I evaluated the needs of this community, I saw immense potential to enhance the level of care,” Dr. Habibi explained. “With Northwell Health’s vast academic and clinical network, we can harness unparalleled resources to build a truly world-class program right here in the Island.”

Comprehensive and Specialized Care

Dr. Habibi’s approach is multifaceted, focusing not just on advanced treatment but also on increasing access to early screening and education. One of the top priorities for the center is expanding its breast imaging services throughout the Island. “We are committed to improving access to early detection through advanced imaging technology,” he said. “The expertise of our highly specialized breast radiologists and pathologist has allowed us to offer precise, top-tier screening and diagnostics capabilities.”

By using cutting-edge imaging tools, SIUH can capture highly detailed breast images, facilitating the detection of even the smallest abnormalities. “With 3-D tomosynthesis, AI assisted risk assessment, and other state-of-the-art technology, our ability to detect smaller tumors early has drastically improved.”

Early detection is one of the most effective tools in lowering the breast cancer mortality rate; this, Dr. Habibi explained, is contingent on empowering and educating women to come in for regular screenings and if they feel any new finding like a lump, skin changes, or bloody nipple discharge during a self-examination.

“The most important things women can do are perform regular self-examinations and come in for mammograms after age 40 [women with a family history of breast cancer may need to start screening even earlier, he added]. Over the last few years, there have been significant improvements in mammography and breast imaging technologies. Today, we can capture more than 800 images of the breast in a few minutes and detect an abnormal lesion through them with a higher degree of accuracy. We can detect much smaller tumors, decreasing the rate of callbacks and improving diagnosis accuracy.”

World-Class Treatment Options Close to Home

In addition to its cutting-edge diagnostic tools, the Florina Comprehensive Breast Center at SIUH offers a full spectrum of therapeutic options for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. The center specializes in the most advanced surgical techniques, including wire-free tumor localization, intraoperative margin assessment, and color marking for accurate assessment, as well as oncoplastic procedures that prioritize both cancer removal and cosmetic outcomes. Dr. Habibi, who has conducted research and taught these specialized techniques in national masterclasses, focuses on hidden scar surgeries, nipple-sparing, and risk-reducing mastectomies, all complemented by a full range of breast reconstruction capabilities.

Beyond surgery, patients have access to the latest systemic therapies, including chemo and hormone therapy, immunotherapies, and advanced radiation oncology. “The medical field’s most advanced treatment technologies are available right here at SIUH,” said Dr. Habibi. “Anything that patients could receive at a leading cancer center elsewhere, they can now get locally in Staten Island.”

This combination of state-of-the-art treatment and local accessibility ensures that patients receive the highest standard of care without the need to travel far from home.

Innovative Research and Personalized Treatments

During his tenure at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Habibi led several innovative research initiatives into personalized cancer treatments, investigating burgeoning areas like tumor genomics and the microbiome’s interaction with breast cancer. Today, he’s continuing that research in Staten Island.

“We are developing protocols that leverage tumor genomics to provide individualized treatments,” Dr. Habibi noted. “This precision medicine approach enables us to predict how a specific tumor will respond to various therapies, empowering us to create the most effective treatment plans for each patient.”

Another exciting area of innovation is intraoperative tumor margin assessment, which helps ensure that no residual cancer cells are left after surgery, reducing the need for additional procedures. His team just completed a multicenter national study in this field with SIUH in top position of accrual in the nation.

A Personalized Approach to Breast Cancer Care

For Dr. Habibi, breast cancer care is deeply personal. “Every case is the most important case of my life,” he shared. “I treat each patient as if I am treating a member of my own family.”

His dedication, combined with the resources and commitment of Northwell Health, ensures that Staten Island residents have access to world-class care, close to home. Under Dr. Habibi’s leadership, SIUH is poised to continue growing as a leader in breast cancer care, providing cutting-edge treatments and compassionate, patient-centered care that empowers women to fight breast cancer with confidence.

Florina Rusi Marke Comprehensive Breast Center

718.226.6790 / siuh.northwell.edu/cancer-institute/breast-cancer