Deborah Axelrod

Who is Deborah Axelrod?

Deborah M. Axelrod is an American surgeon who specializes in breast cancer and who is notable for being an acclaimed expert in the field. She has made frequent appearances on television shows including the Larry King Live, the Dr. Oz show, the Martha Stewart show, as well as news programs such as CBS News. When the wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, Elizabeth Edwards, was diagnosed with breast cancer, Axelrod's views were broadcast. She serves as medical director of the Clinical Breast Services unit of New York University. She has published numerous studies on the subject. She co–authored Bosom Buddies, a guide for women afflicted with breast cancer.

She is on the Board of Directors at SHARE in New York City, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Northern New Jersey Affiliate, and is active in NABCO and the Young Survival Coalition. She has been appointed to the Medical Resource Council for New York City's Gilda's Club, a cancer support community for people with cancer and their families.

Axelrod's opinions have been quoted on issues such as whether a woman with breast cancer should have pre-surgery chemotherapy, and issues regarding breast cancer in terms of obstetrics and gynecology for younger women. She commented about the difficulties facing women with breast cancer: