Women's Cancers

Welcome to the division of Women's Cancers

This division at the Arizona Cancer Center brings together under one umbrella clinical and research faculty from many departments who focus on breast cancer and gynecologic cancers; ovarian, cervical, endometrial, vulvar, vaginal cancers, and gestational trophoblastic disease.

Dr. Setsuko K. Chambers has organized a multidisciplinary team directed toward the comprehensive care of all women's cancers. By bringing all clinical programs and research under one division, services are improved for both patients and their physicians. The division is comprised of gynecologic, surgical, medical and radiation oncologists as well as pathologists and translational and basic researchers. This combination of expertise enables us to bring novel ideas and innovative approaches to our patients.

Arizona’s population continues to grow rapidly, particularly those who are elderly and female. Overall, the numbers of women and men in Arizona are similar. However, when the data are analyzed for age and gender differences, there are substantially more women than men between the ages of 45 and 64, especially in the “greater than 65” age group. This is important since so many women’s cancers affect the older female.

Our goal is to deliver exemplary—not simply standard—care to the women. Our goal is to be the premier tertiary care referral center in the Southwest region for the prevention, screening, early diagnosis, treatment, and palliation of women with breast and gynecologic cancers. Patients receive care in the comfort of a state-of-the-art facility, which expedites patient visits and offers outstanding ancillary services, including social work, nutritional and genetic counseling, and behavioral healthcare services.

Our National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only such center in Arizona, and indeed in the Southwest. Arizona Cancer Center researchers have brought more than $200 million in research grants and contracts to the University of Arizona and the State. Creation of the Division of Women’s Cancers allows patients and their physicians access to a team of experts who collectively deliver leading-edge care to women throughout the Southwest who either have cancer or are at risk for developing this disease.