Addition of Dr. Zarfos Strengthens Breast Program

With the addition of nationally recognized breast surgeon Kristen Zarfos, Middlesex Hospital is showing an investment in its breast program and enhancing the services it offers.

Dr. Zarfos joins Dr. Andrea Malon, medical director of the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center, and Dr. Chia-Chi Wang, a surgical oncologist, as surgeons who treat women who have breast cancer. Together, the trio – with years of surgery experience between them – provide compassionate, individualized care, and they aim to strengthen an already robust breast program.

All three surgeons are part of the Middlesex Hospital Surgical Alliance, and their goal is to coordinate care in a way that helps patients better navigate cancer diagnoses and treatments – in a way that eases fears and makes the process a little easier.

“It’s the unknown that is most frightening,” Dr. Zarfos says.

Dr. Zarfos is no stranger to Middlesex Hospital. Her first job after residency was at Middlesex, where she worked from 1987 to 1999. During that time, she was a leader in the national fight to force health maintenance organizations to cover Hospital stays for mastectomy patients, and she remains a passionate advocate for women’s health issues.

Dr. Zarfos then worked at the UConn Health Center to see if she enjoyed teaching, but found that directly helping patients was her passion. She went on to work as director of Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center’s Comprehensive Breast Health Center and then as director of The Hospital of Central Connecticut’s Comprehensive Breast Health Center before returning to Middlesex. 

“It’s really comfortable to come home,” the Deep River resident says.

Since early detection is key when it comes to all types of cancer, detection technology is at the forefront of Middlesex Hospital’s breast program. The Hospital offers 3D mammography machines at all of its Radiology locations. These 3D machines detect 40 percent more invasive cancers than 2D machines, which are no longer used by the Hospital. Middlesex also offers dual-head molecular breast imaging, which uses a radioactive tracer to better detect breast cancer cells in women with dense breast tissue.

In addition, services like genetic counseling are available to Middlesex patients, and caring nurse navigators at the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center help patients throughout their experience.

“We are here to help patients understand the diagnosis, assess individual’s needs and values and guide them through treatment options” Dr. Wang says.

For more information about Middlesex's three breast surgeons, call 860-358-2850.