A Conversation with Dr. Amber Guth ’79, Specialist in Surgical Oncology & Breast Surgery and NYU's First Female Attending Surgeon

Being able to contribute to the field of surgery is a privilege. Every day I have the opportunity to influence and change the lives of patients, medical students, residents, and fellows.

I joined the NYU School of Medicine faculty in 1991 and am thankful for the opportunities that opened up to me as NYU Langone’s first female attending surgeon. I am proud to have led the way for other female surgeons and attribute my success to being taught that if I persevered, I would succeed.

I treat people who have breast cancer and benign diseases of the breast, offering advanced, individualized, and compassionate care. Managing breast cancer is a team effort, and at Perlmutter Cancer Center, I am fortunate to work closely with outstanding colleagues in breast imaging, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, nuclear medicine, clinical genetics, social services, and other specialties. This personalized team approach allows me to provide my patients with options—I can tailor treatment and prevention strategies to each person’s unique needs.

I am actively using new techniques and technology for breast cancer surgery, including the MarginProbe®—a device used to detect cancer cells in healthy tissue during breast surgery—to reduce follow-up procedures. I also use the SAVI SCOUT® system, which eliminates the need for people to have an additional radiologic procedure the day of surgery. I am also skilled in pain management techniques to minimize discomfort after a mastectomy.

My research interests focus exclusively on breast cancer, including disparities and racial differences in breast cancer outcomes, the evolving role of mammographic screenings, surgical techniques, and the biology of breast cancer. I have published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and abstracts.