The Breast Advice: All You Need to Know About Breast Health, Screening, and Treatment

Everything you need to know about breast health and breast cancer in one place, essential advice you can trust from Mount Sinai’s Chief of Breast Surgery, Dr. Elisa Port, and her patients.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in the United States. There are 300,000 women diagnosed in the United States each year, and of all cancers women get, one in three will be breast. Everyone has been touched by breast cancer in some way – as the more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the US can attest. With misinformation flooding us from chat forums to wellness influencers, where can we turn for the truth?

The Breast Advice offers a trustworthy resource as you navigate assessing your risk of breast cancer, navigate screening and prevention, and treatment, dispelling myths and laying out the facts, including the latest innovations from AI to new screening techniques. Bringing in patients' wisdom together with her 25 years of experience as one of New York’s most celebrated specialists, Mount Sinai’s Chief of Breast Surgery Dr. Elisa Port has created a comprehensive guide to breast cancer risk, diagnosis, and treatment. Addressing:

Lifestyle factors to prevent breast cancer
Risk assessment, screening, and testing—including the latest technology
Diagnosis—choosing a doctor, what to ask, how to manage hard news
Treatment—from radiation and chemotherapy to surgery and novel therapies
Top ten pieces of advice from patients who have been through it

An essential resource for everyone with breasts, The Breast Advice will be passed around and relied upon for years to come.

Dr. Elisa Port, MD, is chief of breast surgery at the Mount Sinai Health System which encompasses multiple state-of-the-art breast centers. She personally consults with thousands of patients and performs hundreds of operations each year. Dr. Port is a trusted voice in the media and a sought-after speaker. She has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, CBS, Today, Mornings with Maria, and Pix11. She’s also frequently invited to share her expertise on podcasts and radio programs, including SiriusXM’s Perri Peltz Show and Lipstick on the Rim. In addition to her media presence, Dr. Port regularly speaks at public events and is invited to present at conferences and panels across the country.

She lives in Manhattan with her husband and two dogs, and has two grown children.

Follow her Substack @thebreastadvice

Follow her on Instagram @drelisaport and @breastadvicemd

"Dr. Elisa Port saved my life. She is my North Star—a physician whose intelligence, judgment, and compassion I trust completely. The Breast Advice is the definitive guide for anyone seeking the very best information and care for their breast health." - Jill Martin, Emmy Award-winning TV personality

"With The Breast Advice, Dr. Port has created the resource we all need. Here you will find pearls of wisdom, setting women of all ages up for long-term breast health." - Maria Bartiromo, Fox News anchor

"Dr. Port is a true leader in her field, distinguished not only by her clinical expertise and groundbreaking research, but by the intention, empathy, and compassion she brings to every patient she cares for. The Breast Advice is a comprehensive, patient-first guide that supports women through every stage of their journey—from self-screening and diagnosis to treatment, healing, and life beyond. This is the kind of trusted resource every woman deserves." - Karlie Kloss, supermodel

The Breast Advice: All You Need to Know About Breast Health, Screening, and Treatment by Dr. Elisa Port is a comprehensive and accessible guide that helps readers understand breast health from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, and long-term wellness. Drawing on her years of experience as a breast surgeon, Dr. Port explains complex medical topics in clear, reassuring language, making the book a valuable resource for anyone seeking reliable information about breast care. Rather than creating unnecessary fear, the book empowers readers with practical knowledge, encouraging them to take an active role in their health and make informed decisions alongside their healthcare providers.

The book begins by emphasizing that breast health is not something to think about only after a problem arises. Instead, it should be viewed as an ongoing part of overall well-being. Dr. Port encourages readers to become familiar with their own bodies, understand what is normal for them, and recognize when changes deserve medical attention. She explains that awareness is different from anxiety. Knowing one's body and paying attention to changes can lead to earlier evaluation when necessary, while also helping people avoid unnecessary worry over normal variations.

A significant portion of the book focuses on breast anatomy and how the breasts naturally change throughout different stages of life. Hormonal fluctuations, aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause all influence breast tissue, and many changes that seem alarming are actually normal. By explaining these natural processes, Dr. Port helps readers understand that not every lump or discomfort signals a serious illness. At the same time, she stresses the importance of seeking professional evaluation whenever persistent or unusual symptoms appear.

Screening and early detection are central themes throughout the book. Dr. Port discusses the purpose of routine breast screening and explains how tools such as mammograms, ultrasound examinations, and breast MRI may be used depending on an individual's age, medical history, breast density, and personal level of risk. She encourages readers to have open conversations with their healthcare providers about the screening schedule that best fits their circumstances. Rather than promoting a one-size-fits-all approach, she highlights the importance of personalized care based on each person's unique health profile.

The author also explains common breast conditions that are not cancerous. Cysts, fibroadenomas, infections, and other benign changes can often cause concern, but many are treatable or harmless. By describing these conditions in simple language, the book reduces unnecessary fear while helping readers understand why additional imaging or biopsies are sometimes recommended to reach a clear diagnosis.

When discussing breast cancer, Dr. Port balances honesty with reassurance. She explains how breast cancer develops, outlines the different types and stages, and describes how diagnosis has become increasingly accurate through advances in imaging and pathology. Rather than overwhelming readers with technical language, she focuses on helping them understand the purpose of each step in the diagnostic process. She emphasizes that every diagnosis is unique and that treatment decisions depend on many factors, including the specific characteristics of the cancer and the individual's overall health.

The book provides an overview of the various treatment options available for breast cancer. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapies, and newer treatment approaches are explained in ways that help readers understand their goals and how they may be combined. Dr. Port stresses that treatment plans are carefully tailored to each patient and often involve a multidisciplinary team of specialists working together to achieve the best possible outcome.

Surgical care receives particular attention because of the author's professional expertise. She explains the differences between breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy, discusses lymph node evaluation, and introduces the topic of breast reconstruction. Rather than suggesting that one approach is always better than another, she encourages shared decision-making, helping readers understand the factors that influence these highly personal choices.

Beyond medical treatment, Dr. Port recognizes the emotional impact of breast health concerns. Receiving abnormal test results or a cancer diagnosis can create fear, uncertainty, and stress for both patients and their families. The book encourages readers to seek support from loved ones, healthcare professionals, counselors, and support groups when needed. Emotional well-being is presented as an important part of the healing process, alongside physical treatment.

The author also addresses lifestyle factors that contribute to overall breast health. She discusses the value of regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding tobacco, and staying engaged with routine medical care. While no lifestyle can completely eliminate the risk of breast disease, these healthy habits support overall wellness and may help reduce certain risks over time.

Another important message throughout the book is the importance of communication. Dr. Port encourages patients to ask questions, understand their test results, and actively participate in treatment decisions. She believes that informed patients are better prepared to navigate complex medical situations and feel more confident during discussions with their healthcare team. Clear communication also helps reduce confusion and empowers individuals to advocate for their own needs.

The book acknowledges that advances in breast medicine continue to improve outcomes. Improvements in screening technology, surgical techniques, personalized treatments, and research have given many patients better options than were available in previous decades. Dr. Port presents this progress with cautious optimism, reminding readers that ongoing research continues to shape the future of breast care.

Overall, The Breast Advice is an informative and compassionate guide that combines medical expertise with practical advice and emotional support. Dr. Elisa Port succeeds in making a complex subject understandable without oversimplifying it, helping readers build confidence in their understanding of breast health. Whether someone is looking to learn about prevention, preparing for routine screening, facing a new diagnosis, or supporting a loved one through treatment, the book offers balanced, evidence-based information that encourages informed decision-making and proactive healthcare. At its core, it is a reassuring reminder that knowledge, early attention to health, and strong communication with medical professionals are among the most valuable tools for protecting breast health and navigating any challenges that may arise.