Breast Cancer Program
Accelerating Access to Leading-Edge Breast Cancer Treatment
City of Hope® Cancer Center, located in Northern Illinois, provides specialized, collaborative care to treat all stages of breast cancer, including early-stage through advanced-stage and recurrent disease. Our program is locally founded on over three and a half decades of clinical expertise, and is the only Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence™ in the state of Illinois and one of only nine comprehensive centers recognized with this distinction in the United States by the National Quality Measures for Breast Cancers Program™.
Meet Our Clinical Leaders
Our program is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of experts specializing in breast cancer, including surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, supportive care team members and more. Several of our physicians hold faculty positions within City of Hope and externally and have obtained unique certifications.
David Winchester, M.D.
Co-Medical Director, Breast Program
Professor, Department of Surgery
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Winchester is an expert in the evaluation and treatment of breast cancer, with over 20 years of experience. In addition to his leadership role in Northern Illinois, he provides surgical intervention for breast cancer in both our Zion and North Shore locations, and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Karan Shah, M.D.
Co-Medical Director, Breast Program
Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology
Radiation Oncologist
Dr. Shah treats breast cancer patients with the full spectrum of radiation services and techniques, including conventional and stereotactic radiation therapy, as well as hypofractionated approaches. With over a decade practicing at City of Hope Cancer Center, he has held a variety of leadership roles, and currently acts as co-medical director of the Northern Illinois Breast Program.
Teja Poosarla, M.D.
Director of Medical Oncology, Breast Program
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Poosarla has dedicated the last decade of her career focused on the treatment of breast cancer, as well as supported the advancement of therapeutic options through clinical trials and research. Additionally, she holds a strong interest in breast cancer survivorship.
About Our Program
Our program in Northern Illinois is part of the City of Hope network, which has been instrumental in breast cancer clinical breakthroughs, including Herceptin for HER2+ breast cancer. We offer a wide range of services for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer including:
Additionally, we offer:
- An established precision medicine program that incorporates genetic sequencing and profiling of primary tumors to determine strategic targeted therapies or clinical trial opportunities
- A supportive health and survivorship program for patients and their loved ones
- Access to the nation’s top subspecialists through organ-specific weekly cancer conferences, to provide information sharing and optimize therapeutic options for patients
Breast Cancer Screening and Patients at High-Risk of Developing Breast Cancer.
Our hospital in Northern Illinois is recognized as a designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center by the American College of Radiology and offers mammogram screening appointments in as little as one week.
For those at higher risk of developing breast cancer, our team is available to offer advanced screening diagnostics, risk assessments and genetic counseling and testing. Should treatment be recommended, our team can provide medical risk reduction strategies, including medication-based and prophylactic surgeries, including reconstructive options.
Refer a Patient to City of Hope
We strive to offer a well-coordinated experience for our referring providers. Upon receiving your referral, our team will immediately begin processing the referral, with minimal work on your end.
Contact information
Phone: (847) 746-9990
Fax: (847) 342-4089
Email: referrals@coh.org
Our Commitment to Clinical Excellence
Our Illinois cancer center is recognized by several organizations that evaluate the quality of hospital breast programs, including:
Dedication to Speed to Care
City of Hope Cancer Center and our outpatient cancer care locations are intentionally structured to maximize speed to care, with: