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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


Survival outcomes after pathologic complete response with neoadjuvant endocrine therapy vs. neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a retrospective national database study.

Journal Article Breast Cancer Res Treat · July 2025 BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant therapies can result in pathologic complete response (pCR) in patients with breast cancer, which can be predictive of long-term outcomes. Patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER +) tumors may receive either neoadjuvant chemothe ... Full text Link to item Cite

Evaluating axillary lymph node metastasis risks in breast cancer patients via Semi-ALNP: a multicenter study.

Journal Article EClinicalMedicine · July 2025 BACKGROUND: Accurately evaluating axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) is essential for guiding both staging and treatment strategies in breast cancer (BC) patients. Currently, traditional pathological staging methods still rely on invasive biopsies or surgeries. T ... Full text Link to item Cite
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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.