MENU

Mary B. Daly, MD, PhD, FACP

Department of Clinical Genetics

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111

About

Chair, Department of Clinical Genetics

Professor, Department of Clinical Genetics

Director, Risk Assessment Program

TRDG Member, Breast Cancer; Kidney, Bladder, and Prostate Cancer; Ovarian and Gynecologic Cancer

Timothy R. Talbot Jr. Chair in Cancer Research

NCCN, Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Panel Member

NCCN, Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis Panel Member

NCCN, Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast and Ovarian Panel Member

Specialties

Breast Cancer;  Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer;  Ovarian & Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Treatment Focus

Clinical Genetics; breast cancer; Risk Assessment; chemoprevention research; family risk assessment and genetic testing; epidemiology; gynecologic cancers

Research Program

Key Awards

  • America’s Top Doctors®, 2015-2017
  • Philadelphia Magazine Top Docs, 2009-2017
  • Susan G. Komen Light of Life Award, 2014
  • Women of Distinction Award, Philadelphia Business Journal, 2011
  • Cancer Control Award, American Cancer Society, 1996, 2004

Treatment Philosophy

I consider it an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to accompany my patients on their cancer journey. I am allowed to witness their strength and courage, to be exposed to the devotion of their families and friends, and to become part of their lives in a very special way.

By extending this care to family members through the risk assessment program, we can work together towards the reduction of risk and prevention of cancer. I like to approach every patient encounter as a mutual learning experience. It is an opportunity for me to share with each patient the latest information about their cancer and treatment or their cancer risk, and give them the tools they need to make informed decisions.

It is also an opportunity for them to teach me something about themselves, about their lives and families, and how they cope with illness and promote their own health. I always feel both drained and enriched after a day in clinic.

Chair, Department of Clinical Genetics

Dr. Daly is a national leader in the field of clinical cancer genetics, and is the founder and director of one of the first cancer risk assessment and counseling programs in the country, established in 1991.

Dr. Daly is the founder and director of Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Risk Assessment Program, which is heavily grounded in research. The program has contributed to early observations regarding risk perception and risk-reducing behavior among women with a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, and has been instrumental in the development of state-of-the-art cancer risk counseling interventions... Expand

Education, Training & Credentials

Educational Background

  • Fellow, Oncology, University of Texas Health Center, Austin, TX
  • Resident, Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Center, Austin, TX
  • MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 1978
  • PhD, Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 1973
  • MSPH, Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 1971
  • BA, Biology, College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY, 1965

Certifications

  • Board Certified in Medical Oncology
  • Board Certified in Internal Medicine
  • Pennsylvania Medical License
  • New Jersey Medical License
  • Texas Medical License

Memberships

  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
    • Breast Cancer Risk Reducation Panel
    • Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis Panel
    • Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast and Ovarian Panel
    • JNCCN Editorial Board
  • International Gynecologic Cancer Society
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • American Association for Cancer Research
  • American Society for Preventive Oncology
  • American Public Health Association

Honors & Awards

  • Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctors, 2009-2017
  • America’s Top Doctors® 2015-2017
  • Susan G. Komen Light of Life Award, 2014
  • Women of Distinction Award, Philadelphia Business Journal, 2011
  • Cancer Control Award, American Cancer Society, 1996, 2004
Patient Stories

Linda Snow

Breast Cancer

Linda Snow

Breast Cancer

Linda Snow was active, maintained a healthy diet, and underwent genetic testing, followed by two double mastectomies and a hysterectomy. So she was shocked that even with all of these precautionary procedures that she still got breast cancer. Linda sought treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center, where she met with her treatment team. After a long road, she is now cancer free and credits her survival to Fox Chase. "Where you start your cancer treatment really does make a difference," said Linda. "You have got to act with a sense of urgency because it can mean the difference between life and death. I unequivocally believe that I am alive today because I chose Fox Chase."

Denise Portner

Breast Cancer

Denise Portner

Breast Cancer

In May 2008, Denise Portner, 45, underwent genetic testing that showed she carried the BRCA2 mutation, just like her mother and aunt, who had breast cancer. Genetic counselors at this hospital advised her to consider prophylactic oophorectomy, a surgical procedure to remove one or both of her ovaries to help reduce her risk for breast and ovarian cancers. Denise decided to get a second opinion from the Risk Assessment Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center, and on June 16, 2009, she learned that she had breast cancer, which changed her treatment plans. Instead, she had a double mastectomy that summer, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and, later, the originally planned oophorectomy. "It was a challenging ride, but I always felt that I was getting the best possible treatment and that I was fortunate to have a world-class cancer center within a 10-minute drive of my home," Denise said. "If I had not been aware of my genetic status, I would not have had the MRI and would not have known that I had breast cancer."

Linda Stockman-Vines

Linda Stockman-Vines

Linda Stockman-Vines considers herself lucky. She has been closely monitored by the doctors at Fox Chase Cancer Center since 1993, but does not have cancer. Instead, Linda has a strong family history of cancer and wants to do all she can to avoid getting cancer if she can.

Jane Tervooren

Breast Cancer

Jane Tervooren

Breast Cancer

Jane Tervooren knows all too well how precious life can be. As the marketing director of one of the largest fertility practices in New Jersey, she watches women who struggle with getting pregnant and who want nothing more than to experience the miracle of childbirth. She also knows how fragile life can be after losing her mother and grandmother too soon to ovarian cancer.

Jane's mother was successfully treated for breast cancer when she was 49, but 14 years later lost her life to ovarian cancer. Jane's grandmother also lost her battle with ovarian cancer at the age of 53.

Deena Dell

Breast Cancer

Deena Dell

Breast Cancer

If you think breast cancer is only diagnosed in stages I, II, III or IV, think again. Deena Damsky Dell, MSN, RN-BC, AOCN(R), can tell you, "Stage 0 breast cancer is really cancer."

After an extensive career in nursing education and oncology critical care, Fox Chase recruited Deena in 2000 as a full-time clinical nurse specialist and director of the RN Graduate Transition Program, where she trains new nurses in oncology.

Pages

Research Profile

Research Program

Research Interests

  • Risk Assessment Program Registry
  • Philadelphia Breast Cancer Family Registry
  • Improving the Estimation and Communication of Ovarian Cancer Risk among BRCA1/2 and Lynch Syndrome Carriers to Optimize Decision Making [Ovarian SPORE]
  • Translation of Genomics into Improvements in Cancer Prevention and Treatment
  • COGENT (Communicating Genetic Test Results by Telephone)
  • LEGACY (A cohort of youth in families from the Breast Cancer Family Registry)

People

Michael Hall, MD, MS

Director, Gastrointestinal Risk Assessment

Elias Obeid, MD, MPH

Breast, Ovarian, Prostate Risk Assessment

Agnes Masny, RN, MSN, CRNP

Nurse Practitioner

Sharon Schwartz, RN, MSN, CRNP

Nurse Practitioner

Susan Montgomery, RN, BSN, OCN

Clinical Genetics Nurse Navigator

Andrea Forman, MS, LCGC

Cancer Genetic Counselor

Kim Rainey, MS, MEd, LCGC

Cancer Genetic Counselor

Michelle Savage, MS, LCGC

Cancer Genetic Counselor

Ruth Bingler, BS

Health Educator

Lisa Bealin, BS

Research Study Assistant

Yana Chertock, MA

Research Study Assistant

Honey Salador

Research Study Assistant

Joann Sicilia

Research Study Assistant

The Risk Assessment Program at Fox Chase looks at your personal and possible inherited genetic factors that may put you at higher possibility for getting cancer. We comprehensively examine your profile for all cancer types, including — but not limited to — breast cancer, ovarian cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, prostate cancer, and melanoma. Knowing your risk helps you learn what you can do to lower your chances of getting cancer.

The Department of Clinical Genetics is built on the success of Fox Chase's Margaret Dyson Family Risk Assessment Program (now Risk Assessment Program), which Dr. Mary Daly began in 1991. A high-risk screening clinic was developed for individuals with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. In addition to the clinic, genetic counseling was provided for both high risk and breast and ovarian cancer patients. As the clinic developed, it became clear that it was important to provide consultations for biopsy findings that put women at increased risk. Since then, Fox Chase has expanded risk assessment services to those at high risk for all cancers.

Publications

Selected Publications

Daly, M., Dresher, C.W., Yates, M.S., Jeter, J.M., Karlan, B.Y., Alberts, D.S., Lu, K. “Salpingectomy as a Means to Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk,” Cancer Prev Res 8(5):342-348, 2015. (PMCID: PMC4417454) PubMed

Hall, M.J., Forman, A.D., Montgomery, S.V., Rainey, K.L., Daly, M.B. “Understanding Patient and Provider Perceptions and Expectations of Genomic Medicine,” J Surg Oncol 111(1):9-17, 2015. (PMCID: PMC4286413) PubMed

Hall, M.J., Herda, M.M., Handorf, E.A., Rybak, C.C., Keleher, C.A., Siemon, M., Daly, M.B. “Direct-to-patient Disclosure of Results of Mismatch Repair Screening for Lynch Syndrome via Electronic Personal Health Record: a Feasibility Study,” Genet Med, 16(11):854-61, 2014. (PMCID: PMC4216634) PubMed

Ferris, J.S., Daly, M.B., Buys, S.S., Genkinger, J.M., Liao, Y., Terry, M.B. “Oral Contraceptive and Reproductive Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer Within Sisters in the Breast Cancer Family Registry,” British Journal of Cancer, 110(4):1074-80, 2014. (PMCID: PMC3929882). PubMed

Chai, X., Friebel, T.M., Singer, C.F., Evans, D.G., Lynch, H.T., Isaacs, C., Garber, J.E., Neuhausen, S.L., Matloff, E., Eeles, R., Tung, N., Weitzel, J.N., Couch, F.J., Hulick, P.J., Ganz, P.A., Daly, M.B., Olopade, O.I., Tomlinson, G., Blum, J.L., Domchek, S.M., Chen, J., Rebbeck, T.R. “Use of Risk-reducing Surgeries in a Prospective Cohort of 1,499 BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers,” Breast Cancer Res Treat 148(2):397:406, 2014. (PMCID: PMC4224991) PubMed ... Expand

Additional Publications

My NCBI

This Fox Chase professor participates in the Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship. 
Learn more about Research Volunteering.

Related News

76 Temple Physicians Named “Top Doctors” by Philadelphia Magazine

(Philadelphia, PA) – Seventy-six (76) Temple physicians have been named to Philadelphia magazine’s “Top Doctors” list for 2017. Thirty-seven are Fox Chase Cancer Center physicians.

Keep Reading

In Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Risk, Less May be More

PHILADELPHIA (April 13, 2017) – Genetics experts from Fox Chase Cancer Center are calling for more caution around how doctors assess genetic testing information for patients’ genetic predisposition to breast cancer risk.

Keep Reading

72 Temple Physicians Named “Top Doctors” by Philadelphia Magazine

PHILADELPHIA (April 22, 2016) – Seventy-two Temple physicians have been named to Philadelphia magazine’s “Top Doctors” list for 2016. Physicians on the list were nominated by their professional peers and practice at Temple University Hospital, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Jeanes Hospital and in the community as part of Temple Physicians, Inc.

Keep Reading

44 Temple Health Physicians Rated “Top Doctors” for 2016

PHILADELPHIA (January 18, 2016)  – Forty-four Temple University Health System (TUHS) physicians, including 26 at Fox Chase Cancer Center, have recently been named America’s Top Doctors® for 2016 by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a health care research and information company.

Keep Reading

Related Blog Posts

Sanjeevani Arora, PhD

Investigating Novel Genetic Risk Factors for Hereditary Renal Cancer

Renal cell cancer (RCC) is among the more commonly diagnosed cancers in both men and women. Hereditary renal cancers make up approximately 3-5% of renal cell cancers.

Keep Reading

Risk Assessment Program - 25 years at Fox Chase Cancer Center

The Risk Assessment Program (RAP, formerly the Margaret Dyson Family Risk Assessment Program) is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2016. Founded in 1991, it was the first program of its kind in the region and one of the first in the U.S. RAP began with funding from the Dyson Foundation, as a memorial to Margaret Dyson, who died of ovarian cancer in 1990.

Keep Reading

Genetic Testing May Give Answers, but May Also Leave Questions

It is important to understand that there are different types of genetic testing that might be offered, multiple results may arise, and sometimes limited action is available.

Keep Reading

The Importance of Sharing – Especially If It Involves Cancer Risk

Genetic testing for cancer risks has been getting a lot of attention in the media this year, spurred by news that Angelia Jolie underwent a double mastectomy, after testing positive for a gene that put her at an 87 percent risk of developing breast cancer.

Keep Reading