Breast Centre

Welcome to the Breast Centre.

A physician looking at a mammogram scan on a computer

Our Breast Centre works in partnership with other WCH clinics, including the After Cancer Treatment Transition (ACTT) and the Familial Ovarian Cancer Clinic. Click on the links to learn more information about their services.

Referral forms can be found at the “for providers” tab.

Contact Info

76 Grenville St
Floor 5
Toronto, ON M5S 1B2

Phone: 416-323-6225
Phones are answered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)

Fax: 416-323-7730

Clinical Manager: Nancy Groff

Click here to see the latest information about the next Breast Reconstruction Workshop day.

Pre-visit Requirements

To ensure a complete and timely consultation of your breast concern, we require that you bring a copy of any outside breast imaging on a CD in DICOM format. This can be done by calling the clinic where the imaging was done and advising them that a copy disc is required for a specialist appointment.

To prepare for all your visits, we recommend that you gather a list of your current medications, review your health history including cancer history and treatment, and write down your concerns or questions. Though not required, we recommend that a family member, friend or advocate accompanies you to your appointment. Should interpreter services be required for your appointment, please advise us as early as possible to ensure accommodations can be made in time for your appointment, test or procedure.

Day of Appointment: What To Expect

We would ask that you plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time so that we can complete your registration. Please remember to bring your Ontario Health Card with you to this appointment.

Please Note: If you do not have a valid Ontario Health Card, you will be required to pay directly for the clinical service(s) provided at the time of your visit. Details are available from any of our program secretaries who can be contacted at 416-323-6225.

Please note: We cannot guarantee that breast imaging, biopsies and doctor appointments can be booked on the same day.

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify us to cancel and/or re-schedule your appointment. We require 48 hours’ notice of a cancellation so we can fill your appointment with another patient.

Your first visit with the specialist will include discussing your history, your family history and an examination of your breasts. Any additional tests or imaging appointments will be arranged at a different time.

If you would like to complete the patient self-assessment/breast health family history form prior to your appointment, please download the form.

As part of an academic teaching hospital, patients may also meet with students and trainees in various disciplines from nursing, allied health and medical residents and fellows. These individuals receive specialized and hands-on training with direct supervision and expertise from our team.

The Breast Centre team posing at the hospital

“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was in shock. I could not process the information. I wanted to talk to someone who has gone through her own cancer journey. When I talked to Kate about my diagnosis (a CCS support and information specialist). she was empathetic, supportive and understood exactly what I was going through. She can relate to you because she has been through it. She helped me and my family so much throughout my journey. It’s an invaluable support program to the patients.” – June

The following individuals make up the members of the team you will meet at the Breast Centre

Physicians and Surgeons

Our physicians and surgeons specialize in the treatment and care related to breast health, breast related diseases and breast reconstruction. Our team includes: breast surgeons, plastic surgeons and high-risk specialists

Surgical Oncologists

  • Dr. Tulin Cil
  • Dr. Jaime Escallon
  • Dr. David Lim
  • Dr. Theodore Ross

Plastic Surgeons

  • Dr. Kathleen Armstrong
  • Dr. Mitchell Brown
  • Dr. John Semple

General Practitioners in Oncology (GPO)

  • Dr Laura Catz-Biro
  • Dr Karen Jang
  • Dr Pamela Lenkov
  • Dr Melinda Wu

Registered Nurse/ Nurse Navigator

The Navigator will coordinate the care of all women with a breast cancer diagnosis, as well as women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer. The Navigator will be the primary contact for patients and their families, ensuring comprehensive care along the entire screening and diagnostic, treatment/care, and aftercare pathways.

Genetic Counsellor

Genetic Counsellors can assess personal and/or family medical history to determine if an individual might have an increased risk for developing certain types of cancers. A Genetic Counsellor will discuss whether the cancer in a family may be hereditary, and if genetic testing is appropriate. Where warranted, genetic testing will be arranged, and results and implications discussed. Genetic Counsellors can provide information and support to an individual and their family, regarding the different options on how to best manage and reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers.

Social Worker

The Social Worker will assist individuals and families to address and manage their emotional and social wellbeing. The Social Worker works together with other members of the health care team to provide education, counselling, support and therapy to individuals and families throughout the cancer and BRCA diagnosis and care journey. The Social Worker offers brief therapy, group therapy and connects individuals/families with community resources and programs. Speak with your doctor or nurse about getting a referral for social worker or contact (416)-323-7330

Available for appointments: Face-to-face interaction/Telephone call/Virtual communication.

Onsite Breast Centre/Gynecology 5th floor (Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm)

Peer Support and Information Specialist

Patients in the Breast Centre who have received a breast cancer diagnosis or have discovered that they carry a hereditary gene mutation can meet with our Peer Support & Information Specialist, Kate Mlodzik. Kate provides emotional support and credible information about programs and resources within the community. She is available in the Breast Centre, 5th Floor, on Mondays from 8am – 4pm and can also be reached at myccssupport@wchospital.ca or (416)-323-6274.

Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist

Our highly specialized rehab team will see you before and after your surgery. Range of motion, post-op exercises and stress reduction are some areas they will discuss with you.

Clinic Secretaries

The Medical Secretary provides clerical support including telecommunications and customer service functions. The Medical Secretary facilitates efficient and timely access to specialty services by receiving and processing referrals and scheduling and confirming of appointments.

COVID-19 Information

For information about our breast cancer services during COVID-19 and tips for coping with a cancer diagnosis, please download this resource (.pdf).

Breast Centre Clinics

The clinics in the Breast Centre include:

Diagnostic: Provides assessment and testing for abnormal clinical or breast imaging concerns. Click here for Breast Imaging and Mammography department

Surgery: Provides treatment and care for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, prophylactic surgery, and other breast concerns. 

Our plastic surgery team sees patients requiring immediate and delayed breast reconstruction as well as immediate breast reconstruction with prophylactic mastectomy. Our team works closely with the breast surgeons to plan your care.

We are currently compiling a list of women interested in the workshop. A date for the next workshop will be booked depending on the amount of interested participants.

The Breast Reconstruction Workshop is an informal information session for women who are contemplating, or scheduled for, breast reconstruction surgery at Women’s College Hospital.

The Workshop consists of a half day group session where health professional present on the different areas of breast reconstruction surgical options, including:

  • post surgical care
  • stress management
  • diet and exercise
  • body image
  • self-esteem

The workshop provides an opportunity to educate yourself about breast reconstruction surgery, share questions and concerns, and meet other women with similar experiences.

For more information please contact Emma Rinaldo at (416) 323-7330

Upcoming workshop: Monday, February 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Room 2508.

Upon registration confirmation, you will be sent workshop details and further information.

High risk clinic: The clinic offers imaging, counseling, genetics, and referrals and follow up care.

The following groups of women are eligible for a mammogram through the Ontario Breast Screen Program (OBSP):

  1. Women aged 50 to 74 years who are average risk for breast cancer.
  2. Women aged 30 to 69 year who are identified as being at high risk for breast cancer

For more information, please refer to Cancer Care Ontario – Ontario Breast Screening Program and Breast Cancer Screening for Women at High Risk.

For Breast imaging instructions and contact information, please find more details on this link.

Genetics: The Genetics/Hereditary Breast Cancer Clinic provides comprehensive Genetic Counselling services for individuals with a personal and/or family history of cancers (e.g., breast). Testing services are also available to those who are eligible, and families may receive other clinic services and long-term follow-up. Genetic counselors based at the unit offer information and support to women and their families about their options. Together, we work closely with the Familial Breast Cancer Research Unit .

Options to refer patients:

  • By fax: Please fax your patient’s referral form(s) to the Breast Centre at: 416-323-7730
  • Ocean eReferral Network: For more information about eReferral can be found here.

Please note that all imaging, reports, biopsy results and genetic results must be received before an appointment is assigned. 

All genetic results must accompany referral for the High Risk Clinic, Prophylactic Breast Surgery, and Gynecologic/Breast High Risk Clinic. No appointment will be assigned until all the required information (imaging, biopsy and genetic) is obtained by the clinic.

There are many resources available for both patients and health care professionals. The following are websites that will provide the answers to many questions you may have about breast health:

Suzanne’s Story

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast. A cancerous (malignant) tumour is a group of cancer cells that can grow into and destroy nearby tissue. It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Cells in the breast sometimes change and no longer grow or behave normally. These changes may lead to non-cancerous (benign) breast conditions such as atypical hyperplasia and cysts. They can also lead to non-cancerous tumours such as intraductal papillomas.

Cancerous Tumours:

  • Ductal Carcinoma
  • Lobular carcinoma
  • Inflammatory Breast Cancer
  • Paget disease of the nipple
  • Triple negative breast cancer

Non-Cancerous Tumours:

  • Fibroadenoma
  • Intraductal papilloma
  • Phylloides tumour

Non-Cancerous Conditions:

  • Atypical hyperplasia
  • Breast pain
  • Breast cysts
  • Fibrocystic breasts
  • Nipple discharge

For information about the above cancers please refer to Canadian Cancer Society They also offer information about grading and staging of breast cancer.

For the latest information on your surgery, please check out the WCH Surgery department website. Additionally, see the Post-Operative Resources page.

  • Lumpectomy
  • Lymph Node Dissection
  • Mastectomy
    • Description of each procedure
    • What happens during and after surgery
    • What activities of daily living can I do after surgery
    • When to call your doctor after surgery
  • Rehabilitation following Breast Surgery
    • General activity guidelines and exercises
    • Resources, books, and videos
    • Post-surgical swelling control
    • Pain management
    • Resuming daily activities
    • Breast reconstruction
    • Nutrition
    • Successful return to work
    • Relaxation and stress management
    • Fatigue management
    • Driving
    • Psychosocial Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Please refer to the referral section in the “For Providers” tab. You can also get information from the Ontario Breast Screening Program

For the latest information on your surgery, please check out the WCH Surgery department website