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Jennifer K Plichta

E. Fulton Brylawski Associate Professor in Women's Health
Surgical Oncology

Overview


Dr. Jennifer Plichta is an Associate Professor of Surgery & Population Health Sciences at Duke University. She serves as the Director of the Breast Risk Assessment Clinic in the Duke Cancer Institute, where she cares for patients with breast cancer, benign breast problems, and those with an increased risk of breast cancer. Her clinical interests include establishing routine breast cancer risk assessment for women and creating personalized management strategies for those found to be “high risk”.

Dr. Plichta’s research focuses of identifying and managing women with risk factors for breast cancer, including those with genetic mutations, such as BRCA, those with abnormal breast biopsies, and those with a family history of breast cancer. She is also studying metastatic breast cancer and how breast cancer staging can be used to improve patient care and education. 

However, her dedication to breast cancer extends beyond her clinical and research interests. She also enjoys educating the community about breast cancer and helping to raise money for breast cancer research and education. She is the creator and primary coordinator of Duke’s free, annual breast education day for the community, “What’s best for breasts?”.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


E. Fulton Brylawski Associate Professor in Women's Health · 2025 - Present Surgical Oncology, Surgery
Associate Professor of Surgery · 2021 - Present Surgical Oncology, Surgery
Associate Professor in Population Health Sciences · 2021 - Present Population Health Sciences, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2018 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published February 19, 2025
Duke Experts on Why More Younger Women are Getting Cancer

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Recent Publications


Short-term Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Bilateral Risk-Reducing Mastectomy for Patients at a High Risk for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Journal Article Ann Surg Oncol · April 2025 BACKGROUND: Bilateral risk-reducing mastectomies (RRMs) have been proven to decrease the risk of breast cancer in patients at high risk owing to family history or having pathogenic genetic mutations. However, few resources with consolidated data have detai ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health - BIRCWH

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEScholar · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2002 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


Loyola University Medical Center · 2012 M.S.
Indiana University, School of Medicine · 2008 M.D.
Depauw University · 2002 B.A.