Breast Cancer Surgeon Sahuarita, AZ
For patients in Sahuarita, AZ, and the surrounding areas, finding a breast cancer surgeon with both specialized expertise and genuine compassion can feel overwhelming. At Tucson Breast Health Specialists, Dr. Michele Ley, MD, FACS, brings nearly two decades of experience in breast surgical oncology to patients throughout southern Arizona, including those in Sahuarita, Green Valley, and greater Tucson. If you have received a diagnosis or a referral, we encourage you to contact us to schedule a consultation and take the next step in your care.
Specialized Breast Cancer Surgical Care
Dr. Michele Ley, MD, FACS, is Tucson’s only dedicated breast surgical oncologist in private practice, serving patients since 2006. Her training spans Northwestern University, St. Louis University School of Medicine, the University of Arizona, and a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at UCSF. She holds board certification in general surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Her surgical approach emphasizes minimally invasive techniques and oncoplastic breast surgery, which seeks to balance optimal oncologic outcomes with aesthetically thoughtful results. Procedures such as nipple sparing mastectomy are among the options Dr. Ley discusses with patients during individualized consultations. Every treatment plan is developed collaboratively, with your goals, values, and concerns at the center of every decision.
Who May Benefit From a Consultation
Dr. Ley cares for patients across a range of breast health needs, including:
- A new breast cancer diagnosis requiring surgical evaluation
- High-risk patients exploring preventive surgical options
- Young women navigating breast cancer treatment decisions
- Patients with benign breast disease requiring specialist care
- Those seeking a second opinion from an experienced breast surgical specialist
The practice also welcomes out-of-town patients and coordinates closely with referring physicians and oncology teams throughout the region.
Request a consultation to speak with our team about your diagnosis and care options.
What to Expect as a Patient
Your first consultation with Dr. Ley is a dedicated conversation. She reviews your diagnosis, imaging, and pathology alongside you, and she takes time to explain your surgical options in clear, accessible language. Ultrasound and other diagnostic tools may be reviewed as part of that process. Dr. Ley’s approach to shared decision-making means you leave with a thorough understanding of your options, not just a surgical plan.
Recovery timelines and post-operative experience vary by individual and procedure. Dr. Ley and her team provide detailed guidance before and after surgery, and the practice offers supportive care, including lymphedema therapy, nutrition coaching, mindfulness support, and post-operative rehabilitation.
Serving Sahuarita, Green Valley, and Southern Arizona
Tucson Breast Health Specialists serves patients from Sahuarita, Green Valley, Marana, Oro Valley, and throughout the greater Tucson, AZ metropolitan area. As a breast cancer survivor herself, Dr. Ley brings a depth of personal understanding to every patient relationship that informs her clinical care and her commitment to making each person feel genuinely supported. Her experience is not a credential listed on a wall; it shapes how she listens, how she communicates, and how she guides patients through complex decisions.
The practice also offers paramedical nipple and areola tattooing through survivor tattoo artist Dawn Morrow, extending support for patients at every stage of their experience.
If you are ready to speak with a breast cancer surgeon serving Sahuarita, AZ, and surrounding communities, contact Tucson Breast Health Specialists to request a consultation with Dr. Michele Ley, MD, FACS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a breast cancer surgeon in Sahuarita, AZ do?
A breast surgical oncologist specializes in the surgical evaluation and treatment of breast cancer and related breast conditions. Dr. Michele Ley, MD, FACS, focuses exclusively on breast surgical care, including procedures such as lumpectomy, mastectomy, and nipple sparing mastectomy. She works collaboratively with your broader medical team to coordinate treatment.
Does Tucson Breast Health Specialists accept patients from Sahuarita and Green Valley?
Yes. The practice serves patients from Sahuarita, Green Valley, and throughout southern Arizona, as well as out-of-town patients who travel to Tucson for specialized breast surgical care. Please contact our team to discuss your situation and schedule a consultation.
What is oncoplastic breast surgery?
Oncoplastic surgery combines oncologic surgical principles with techniques that consider the aesthetic outcome of breast surgery. Dr. Ley has specialized training in this approach, which may allow some patients to achieve sound surgical margins while preserving more of the natural breast appearance. Individual candidacy depends on diagnosis, anatomy, and other clinical factors.
Does Dr. Ley perform general surgery in addition to breast surgery?
Dr. Ley holds board certification in general surgery, which underpins her specialized focus on breast surgical oncology. Her clinical practice at Tucson Breast Health Specialists is dedicated exclusively to breast health and breast cancer care.
What breast cancer surgical options are available?
Surgical options vary based on diagnosis, staging, and individual patient factors. Dr. Ley discusses a range of procedures during consultation, which may include lumpectomy, various forms of mastectomy, including nipple sparing mastectomy, and sentinel lymph node procedures. Treatment recommendations are always individualized.
How do I schedule a consultation with a breast cancer surgeon near Sahuarita?
Tucson Breast Health Specialists accepts patients by referral or with a qualifying diagnosis. You can submit a consultation request online or contact our team directly to discuss next steps. We will work with you and your referring physicians to coordinate your care.
Does Dr. Ley coordinate with other specialists during breast cancer treatment?
Yes. Breast cancer care often involves a team of specialists, including medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. Dr. Ley works collaboratively with referring physicians and other providers throughout Tucson and the surrounding areas to support a coordinated approach to your care.
What supportive care services does the practice offer?
Beyond surgical care, Tucson Breast Health Specialists offers lymphedema therapy, nutrition coaching, mindfulness support, post-operative rehabilitation, and access to paramedical nipple and areola tattooing through survivor artist Dawn Morrow. These services are designed to support patients throughout the full arc of their experience, not just in the operating room.
Michele Ley, MD, FACS
Dr. Michele Ley, a breast surgical oncologist in Tucson since 2006, combines compassionate care with cutting-edge techniques to provide personalized treatment plans for breast cancer and high-risk patients. With a medical degree from St. Louis University, residency at the University of Arizona, and fellowship at UC San Francisco, Dr. Ley is board-certified in General Surgery and a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Her experience as a medical director for breast programs and her own journey as a breast cancer survivor at age 44 uniquely position her to offer empathetic and expert care to her patients.
