Nancy Chan, MD

My interest in medicine began at a young age, when my grandmother was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I accompanied her to follow-up visits and vividly recall my fear turning into reassurance as I watched the doctors care for her. I decided I would become a doctor and provide the same care and comfort to others.

I am a medical oncologist and the director of breast cancer clinical research at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, where I specialize in managing breast cancer and developing clinical trials for new treatments. After many years of experience in caring for people who have breast cancer, I know how important it is to provide patient-centered, compassionate care.

People often experience fear of the unknown when they are diagnosed. No two people with a breast cancer diagnosis are exactly alike, and every person needs a doctor who can personalize treatment plans based on their unique set of needs. My team and I strive to ensure that our patients receive comprehensive care for every aspect of their treatment and understand the rationale for each therapeutic approach. I am deeply committed to using my expertise to help patients navigate their treatment.

I dedicate my time to patient care and clinical research, designing and conducting clinical trials for the advancement of breast cancer treatment. I join forces with colleagues at institutions around the world to push forward the field of breast cancer research, helping our patients to live longer and better.

I think of myself as a bridge between patients and scientists. I love to bring the clinical knowledge learned from patients to colleagues who are developing new methods to understand and manage breast cancer. When these two aspects connect, we make breakthroughs.

NYU Langone’s Breast Cancer Center is part of Perlmutter Cancer Center, which is a National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. We have many clinical trials examining new treatment options, with the aim of improving outcomes and quality of life for our patients. We also actively work with other institutions, so our patients can participate in the most advanced studies available across the country. 

I serve as co-investigator of several studies funded by the National Institutes of Health. I have also served as co-chair of a breast cancer clinical trials working group to lead studies that can help develop new treatments for breast cancer. Drawing on my expertise in hormone receptor–positive breast cancer, I have received grants in translational research and lead clinical trials to better understand how resistance to treatment develops. This helps us discover new and more effective therapies.