Lauren Banaszak, MD - MSK Leukemia Specialist

I am a medical oncologist with clinical and laboratory experience in cancer genetics. My research focuses on defining genetic factors that cause an increased susceptibility to cancer. My research team identified the most common mutation associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer among individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. My MSKCC colleagues and I also published the first prospective series describing the outcome of preventive ovarian surgery and screening in women at hereditary risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Ongoing research is aimed at defining new genetic risk factors and tailored interventions for families at hereditary risk for cancers of the breast, ovary, colon, prostate, and lymphoid organs.

I am a urologic surgeon specializing in the treatment of bladder cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and penile cancer. I have expertise in using both open and minimally invasive surgical approaches to treat these cancers. I also use the da Vinci® surgical robot system regularly in my clinical practice. I have more than 15 years of experience and care for about 1,500 patients each year.