Cindy Cen, MD, is a board-certified breast surgical oncologist at Northwell. Her areas of focus include breast cancer and screening, breast conservation surgery, skin and nipple-sparing mastectomies, and removing high-risk and benign breast lesions.Knowledgeable, compassionate and kind are just a few words patients use to describe Dr. Cen, a lifelong New Yorker with a passion for helping others in her community. She understands the uncertainty that often comes with a new diagnosis, as many of her patients are dealing with breast cancer. That's why she spends time with patients and families, and goes the extra mile to make sure they feel comfortable."I care a lot about my patients," explains Dr. Cen. "I always make sure we come together with a plan that everyone agrees on. That includes exploring their options, drawing out diagrams of the procedures and answering any questions they may have-so they can decide what's right for them."After graduating magna cum laude from Harvard College, Dr. Cen received her medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in general surgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at New York University Langone Medical Center.Joining Northwell in 2020, Dr. Cen works closely with a team of radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and other specialists to ensure each patient is treated holistically. For cancer cases, she participates weekly on a multidisciplinary tumor board to develop personalized treatment plans. "We're always working toward making sure patients get all the care that they need from all different angles," says Dr. Cen.A leader in her field, Dr. Cen has shared her research at national conferences and in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including The Breast Journal and Annals of Surgical Oncology. She is also a dedicated member of many notable organizations, including the American College of Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology and American Society of Breast Surgeons.For Dr. Cen, the best part about being a surgeon is being there for people. "Sometimes, early-stage breast cancer can seem like the end of the world, but it's very treatable," Dr. Cen says. "It's my job to guide my patients through this tough time and get them to the other side, so they can live a long, healthy life."