Oncologist Spotlight: Dr. Mary Legenza

Meet Mary Legenza, MD, FACS

Board-Certified General/Breast Surgeon, Director of Diagnostic Breast Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital and Associate Professor of Surgery at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

Tell us about your role at Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"I diagnose and treat all aspects of breast disease including cancer as well as some benign breast disease. I also work with patients who are high risk for breast cancer and patients who have had breast cancer."

How do you work with others on your team to provide the best breast cancer care?

"I collaborate with all staff to expedite diagnosis and treatment in a timely fashion as well as create a comfortable environment for the patient. We try hard to promptly share information and include the patient for treatment decisions."

What is one thing you wish our community knew about ECCC and its breast cancer teams’ comprehensive approach to care?

"Our Breast Center team is certified by NAPBC (National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers) and is the only center in the region that holds this certification. This means we meet quality standards for breast cancer in line with the best centers in the country. Also, we have a fellowship-trained breast surgeon, as well as me, a surgeon board certified in breast surgery. We subspecialize and only do breast surgery."

What’s your favorite part of your job?

"Sitting down with a newly diagnosed patient and their family, discussing pathology results and coming up with a plan for cure. This is a time when people are the most scared and worried, and we can give them hope. They always feel better if they have a plan and have participated in these decisions."