For Nicketti Handy, MD, breast surgical oncology brings together science, surgical planning, and an appreciation for the individual needs of every patient. Her approach to comprehensive breast care emphasizes informed decision-making, communication, and coordination among specialists, helping patients understand their diagnosis and participate in choosing appropriate treatment.
Dr. Handy is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist who leads the comprehensive breast care program at the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. She also operates at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica and serves as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
Combining Art, Science, and Breast Surgical Oncology
Dr. Handy’s interest in medicine developed alongside a longstanding appreciation for art and the biological sciences. She earned degrees in Brain and Cognitive Science and Health and Society from the University of Rochester before attending Tufts University School of Medicine. She subsequently completed her general surgery residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle.
During residency, she became interested in the collaborative nature of breast cancer care and the opportunity to combine surgical precision with an understanding of how treatment affects a patient’s body, appearance, and quality of life.
“It really was this opportunity to see how creative and artistic breast cancer surgery can be, which for me felt like the ultimate way of bringing back my interest of art, science, and healthcare.”
– Nicketti Handy, MD
The Role of Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
Oncoplastic breast surgery combines techniques used to remove breast cancer with methods intended to preserve or restore breast shape. For selected patients, this approach may allow cancer removal and breast reshaping during the same operation.
Depending on the patient’s diagnosis and anatomy, techniques can include rearranging breast tissue or incorporating breast reduction and other reconstructive approaches. The objective is to perform appropriate cancer surgery while considering cosmetic outcomes and patient preferences.
Oncoplastic surgery is not suitable for every patient. The decision depends on tumor size and location, breast anatomy, the extent of tissue that must be removed, other treatment requirements, and the patient’s goals.
Dr. Handy developed additional experience in oncoplastic breast surgery during her Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Saint John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, where she trained alongside Janie Grumley, MD, Crystal Fancher, MD, and other specialists involved in breast cancer treatment.
Learn more about Breast Cancer Surgical Treatments.
Watch Dr. Handy Discuss Her Approach to Comprehensive Breast Care
In this interview, Dr. Handy discusses what led her to breast surgical oncology, the importance of helping patients understand their diagnosis, and her approach to developing breast care services at the Disney Family Cancer Center in Burbank.
Dr. Nicketti Handy — Breast Surgical Oncology in Burbank, California
Nicketti Handy, MD, discusses her breast surgical oncology practice, patient care philosophy, and the comprehensive breast program in Burbank, California.
Leading Comprehensive Breast Care at the Disney Family Cancer Center
Following completion of her fellowship in 2024, Dr. Handy joined the faculty at Saint John’s Cancer Institute and became the founding full-time breast surgeon at the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank.
Her role helps extend specialized breast surgical care to patients in Burbank and neighboring San Fernando Valley communities. The breast care program brings together clinical evaluation, diagnostic imaging, surgical consultation, and coordination with other cancer specialists when needed.
Breast Health Evaluation and Diagnostic Services
The Breast Health Center at Disney Family Cancer Center evaluates a range of breast concerns, including new lumps, breast pain, nipple discharge, changes in breast appearance, and abnormalities found on imaging.
Patients with urgent breast concerns can contact the Breast Health Center directly to discuss expedited evaluation. The program offers same- or next-day appointments for appropriate concerns, subject to scheduling and clinical circumstances, and can help coordinate additional imaging or other testing when indicated.
Not every breast concern requires surgery. Many findings are benign, and the appropriate next step may involve clinical examination, diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasound, additional surveillance, or referral to a specialist.
If a biopsy identifies cancer or another condition requiring surgical treatment, Dr. Handy works with the care team to develop recommendations based on the patient’s diagnosis and needs.
Coordinating Care Between Burbank and Santa Monica
Dr. Handy’s clinical work connects two Providence breast cancer programs: the Disney Family Cancer Center in Burbank and the Margie Petersen Breast Center at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica.
She primarily practices in Burbank and also operates in Santa Monica, maintaining professional relationships with the physicians and research teams with whom she trained during her fellowship.
This connection supports communication and collaboration across the two locations, including discussions of surgical techniques, treatment planning, clinical research, and other resources relevant to individual patients.
Patients should discuss their preferred location, insurance arrangements, and procedure requirements with the care team because available services and scheduling may differ between facilities.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast cancer care may require expertise from several disciplines. Depending on the diagnosis, a patient’s care team can include breast surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, breast imaging, pathology, genetics, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and supportive care.
These specialists contribute different information to treatment decisions. Imaging helps characterize abnormalities, pathology establishes the diagnosis, and additional testing may identify tumor features that influence whether medication, radiation, or surgery is recommended.
For patients requiring breast surgery, Dr. Handy helps explain how the available operations fit within the overall treatment plan, including possible breast conservation, mastectomy, oncoplastic techniques, or reconstructive consultation.
Learn more about the Margie Petersen Breast Center and its multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer care.
Helping Patients Make Informed Treatment Decisions
Central to Dr. Handy’s practice is the belief that patients should understand what has been found, which treatment options are medically appropriate, and how those options may affect their lives.
During consultations, she discusses imaging and pathology findings with patients before reviewing treatment recommendations. Understanding the diagnosis can help patients ask questions, compare options, and participate meaningfully in decisions about their care.
Understanding the Diagnosis Before Choosing Treatment
Breast cancer treatment depends on several factors, including the type and extent of disease, tumor characteristics, the patient’s overall health, and individual priorities.
For some patients, breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation may be appropriate. Others may benefit from mastectomy, treatment before surgery, or additional surgical and nonsurgical options. These decisions require an individualized discussion rather than a single approach for every diagnosis.
Dr. Handy emphasizes explaining the expected benefits, risks, and limitations of the available options so that patients can make decisions that reflect both their medical needs and personal preferences.
Respecting Patient Preferences and Second Opinions
Breast cancer treatment decisions may involve concerns about recovery, breast appearance, work, family responsibilities, future health, and the possibility of additional treatment.
Patients may benefit from discussing these concerns openly and asking for additional explanations when recommendations are unclear. Seeking a second opinion can also be appropriate, particularly when several treatment options are available or a patient wants another perspective before proceeding.
Dr. Handy welcomes patients who are seeking another opinion and encourages an informed relationship between the patient and care team.
Advancing Breast Cancer Care Through Research and Collaboration
Clinical research contributes to the development and evaluation of breast cancer treatments, surgical approaches, and strategies for improving patient outcomes.
As a faculty member at Saint John’s Cancer Institute, Dr. Handy participates in research and collaborates with colleagues across breast surgical oncology and other cancer specialties. Her work includes an interest in strengthening research connections between the Santa Monica and Burbank cancer programs.
Connecting Patients With Research Opportunities
Dr. Handy has discussed the importance of expanding collaboration between the two cancer centers so that patients in Burbank may have greater opportunities to learn about clinical research and potentially participate in appropriate studies.
“…Being based in Burbank at the Disney Family Cancer Center is we’re hoping to bridge some of the resources at both of the cancer centers for more collaboration with research efforts, including clinical trials that might now only be available for Santa Monica patients.”
– Nicketti Handy, MD
Her comments reflect a goal of improving collaboration and research access across locations. The availability of a particular clinical trial depends on its eligibility criteria, participating sites, enrollment status, and other study requirements.
Patients interested in research participation can ask their care team whether any currently recruiting clinical trials may be relevant to their diagnosis.
Learn more about Clinical Trials at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
The Influence of Fellowship Training on Clinical Practice
Dr. Handy completed her Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Saint John’s Cancer Institute in 2024. The additional training provided focused experience in breast disease, surgical planning, multidisciplinary treatment, and research.
Her continued collaboration with Saint John’s illustrates how fellowship education can support specialized clinical practice beyond the training institution, extending professional relationships and shared expertise to patients in other communities.
For a firsthand account of her training, read Dr. Nicketti Handy Reflects on Her Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship.
Continuing Care Beyond Breast Cancer Surgery
For many patients, breast care continues long after an operation. Follow-up may involve reviewing surgical recovery, discussing pathology findings, monitoring for new concerns, and coordinating recommended surveillance or other treatment with the broader care team.
Dr. Handy values the relationships that develop with patients over time. Her approach emphasizes communication, education, and ongoing attention to each patient’s concerns throughout treatment and follow-up.
The appropriate follow-up schedule varies based on the patient’s diagnosis, treatment history, and individual circumstances. Breast surgeons may remain involved alongside medical oncologists, primary care clinicians, and other professionals who contribute to long-term care and survivorship.
Comprehensive Breast Care With Dr. Nicketti Handy
Dr. Handy brings her training in breast surgical oncology and oncoplastic techniques to a practice centered on patient education, individualized treatment, and multidisciplinary care. Through her leadership in Burbank and continued work in Santa Monica, she helps extend access to specialized breast care across Providence’s Southern California cancer programs.
Patients can contact Dr. Handy’s breast care team at the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, 181 S. Buena Vista Street, 3rd Floor, Burbank, CA 91505, by calling 818-847-3781. For information about her clinical practice, training, and locations, visit Dr. Nicketti Handy’s physician profile.
Sources & Further Reading
- Saint John’s Cancer Institute — Nicketti Handy, MD
- Providence — Dr. Nicketti Handy, Breast Surgical Oncology
- Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center — Breast Cancer Care
- Saint John’s Cancer Institute — Margie Petersen Breast Center
- Saint John’s Cancer Institute — Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship
- Saint John’s Cancer Institute — Breast Cancer Surgical Treatments
- Saint John’s Cancer Institute — Clinical Trials