Duke Women’s Cancer Centers in Raleigh and Durham are delighted to welcome Maggie Lee DiNome, MD, and Astrid Botty, MD, to our growing team of breast surgical oncologists.

Both surgeons specialize in surgical care for patients with benign and malignant breast disease as well as those with high-risk conditions due to a genetic mutation, family history of breast cancer, or individual risk factors.

DiNome joins Duke Women’s Cancer Center Raleigh from UCLA Health where she served as the chief of breast surgery and the system director of breast health. With surgical experience spanning more than 20 years, she notes there are several distinctive benefits for patients who are referred to Duke.

“We have an integrated, cohesive team under one roof to care for patients—from genetic screening to comprehensive breast imaging to complex surgical interventions,” she explains. “Physicians should feel comfortable referring patients to our clinic for any breast-related concern. We will ensure the patient is seen quickly so the appropriate work-up and treatment can begin right away, and surgery can be scheduled as soon as possible as indicated.”

Another benefit to the “one-stop shop” approach is the centers’ ability to perform biopsies under the same roof. “If there’s an abnormal finding on a mammogram or ultrasound our imaging radiologist will perform the biopsy and then review the results with the patient directly,” says DiNome. “Our radiologist can then refer the patient to a surgeon in the same building and we can see the patient as quickly as possible.” This can be a relief for patients, as they don’t have to go to multiple facilities, wait for results to be communicated by their primary care physician, then wait for a surgical consult.

Botty joins Duke Cancer Center and Duke Cancer Center North Durham from Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, VA. "As a fellowship-trained breast surgeon specializing in breast cancer, it is my duty to equip those whom I care for with the knowledge and know-how needed to confidently make informed treatment decisions,” says Botty, who is fluent in both English and Spanish and has published more than 15 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters.

“I consider it a great privilege to support my patients through their breast cancer journey and my goal is to provide them each with a sense of security in knowing that they have a physician and team who are 100% supportive in meeting their treatment needs,” she adds. “I work closely with my colleagues in breast imaging, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and plastic surgery to deliver the highest quality of care."

In addition to clinical care, both new surgeons are engaged in research to bring the latest advances in clinical care to our patients.

DiNome’s research interests are in the field of epigenetics and the role of epigenetic therapy in breast cancer treatment—an area she believes will become increasingly important from a translational perspective. “Understanding the epigenetics of breast cancer will help us identify the modifications that occur in tumors that lead to development, progression and treatment resistance so we can find more effective therapies,” she says.

Botty’s research focuses on re-conservation after previous breast conservation therapy; management of occult primary breast cancer; management of the axilla after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or neoadjuvant endocrine therapy; management of high- and intermediate-risk breast lesions; and disparities in breast cancer care. She is also actively involved in student and resident surgical education, particularly in breast disease care and management.

DiNome performs surgeries at Duke Raleigh Hospital; Botty performs surgeries at Duke Regional Hospital and Duke University Hospital.