Oren Cahlon, MD

For as long as I can remember, I have been in awe of physicians and the impact they can have on patients and their families. I have always been aware of the trust that people have for their physician, and never taken it for granted. Growing up, I wanted to become that trusted physician. Today, as a doctor, I aspire to fulfill that high calling.

At NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, I use radiation therapy to treat people who have breast cancer, including advanced or metastatic breast cancer. I am passionate about radiation oncology. It provides me an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of cancer patients. It is also an ever-evolving field that lets me combine my appreciation for advanced technology and love for math and physics, while at the same time satisfying my goal of providing compassionate patient care.

My role as a radiation oncologist is to recommend the type of radiation therapy that is best for each person, based on their medical history, age, and the type of breast cancer they have. Because every breast cancer case is unique, it requires a customized approach to delicately balance the need for disease control with minimizing side effects and any long-term effects of treatment.

After seeing thousands of breast cancer patients, the team at Perlmutter Cancer Center has unique expertise and experience that guide the exceptional care they provide. I pride myself on always being available for my patients. I share my personal contact information so that I can directly answer patients’ questions at any time. I value building relationships and getting to know each patient and their family. I have seen many patients make it through what can be a long and sometimes difficult treatment journey and go on to live normal lives. Based on this experience and my approach, I’m fortunate to be able to offer hope and optimism to my patients.

My research focuses on identifying the best type of radiation therapy—whether proton therapy, partial breast radiation, long-course versus short-course radiation, or some other treatment option—for each type of breast cancer. I have also been involved in studying the long-term effects of radiation therapy, such as the risk of heart disease, and identifying more-modern radiation techniques to protect the heart from any negative effects of radiation. I am currently the co-principal investigator of a national phase 3 clinical trial testing the use of proton therapy to treat breast cancer.

I am a member of the American Board of Radiology and the American Society for Radiation Oncology, and have held various leadership roles in the Proton Collaborative Group. As senior vice president and deputy chief clinical officer, I work with colleagues from across NYU Langone to ensure that it meets all of our patients’ clinical needs in a way that is convenient, affordable, and focused on what is best for them. My goal is to make it as efficient and easy as possible for patients and caregivers to access and navigate our healthcare services across all our locations.