Linda Moy, MD

Being a radiologist is like playing detective—I use imaging technology to look for clues inside the body and figure out why someone is not feeling well. I help solve a problem and play an important part in guiding a person’s treatment, which is very satisfying.

I specialize in breast imaging and use different types of technology, such as mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRI and PET/CT scans. My patients include women having an annual mammogram and those who are in various stages of care. I see people who have a family history of breast cancer and are at high risk and those who have had breast cancer or benign disease of the breast. Some of my patients have recently received a diagnosis of breast cancer and come in for imaging to monitor their treatment.

At NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, we offer the latest technologies to all our patients. This includes digital breast tomosynthesis, an advanced three-dimensional technology that helps improve our ability to detect breast cancer. We also use ultra-fast imaging on breast MRI with a shorter protocol, which reduces imaging time.

Very often, a radiologist is the first breast cancer specialist a person sees. As part of a team, I educate and guide my patients through their imaging options, based on their personal and family medical history. I also refer them to genetic counselors and oncologists, so they can learn more about their risk factors and treatment options. If I see something suspicious or unusual, I perform a biopsy. I also specialize in procedures such as needle localizations and other nonwire localization techniques that are used to mark the location of a breast tumor or abnormal tissue, which helps surgeons to tailor their surgical approach.

Going through multiple imaging exams and seeing a variety of breast cancer specialists can be stressful. To reduce anxiety among patients, I take the time to explain the imaging findings and possible next steps to my patients. Just like surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists, we are part of the team providing the best care possible to our patients.

I am currently involved in research on MRI scans of the breast to improve our knowledge of tumor biology. This can help us to better monitor and determine how a person is responding to a treatment. I am also researching how artificial intelligence can be helpful in reading the various breast imaging techniques and be used as a support tool to improve breast cancer detection.

I am a member of the Radiological Society of North America and serve as the editor of its flagship publication, Radiology. In 2022, Radiology was ranked No. 1 among all radiology and medical imaging journals. I am also a member of the American College of Radiology’s Commission on Breast Imaging, which addresses issues related to breast imaging, screening, and government regulation. Additionally, I collaborate with scientists across the globe. This allows me to share the most recent research techniques and clinical trials with my patients.