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

Dr. Amber Guth, '79, is a distinguished physician, surgeon, and researcher. A member of the faculty at New York University School of Medicine since 1991, she was NYU Langone’s first female attending surgeon—thereby leading the way for other female surgeons.

Every day she changes the lives of patients, medical students, residents, and fellows. Dr. Guth treats patients with breast cancer and benign diseases of the breast, to whom she offers advanced, individualized, and compassionate care. Because managing cancer is a team effort, at Perlmutter Cancer Center she works closely with colleagues in breast imaging, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, nuclear medicine, clinical genetics, social services, and other specialties. This personalized team approach is essential to providing her patients with options, as she can tailor treatment and prevention strategies to each individual’s unique needs.

She is at the forefront of using new techniques and technologies for breast cancer surgery. For instance, Dr. Guth uses MarginProbe®—a device used to detect cancer cells in healthy tissue during breast surgery—to reduce follow-up procedures. She also uses the SAVI SCOUT® system, which eliminates the need for people to have an additional radiologic procedure the day of surgery. In addition, she is skilled in pain management techniques to minimize discomfort after a mastectomy.

Dr. Guth’s research focuses 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. She has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and abstracts.