Carla Falkson, M.B.Ch.B., M.Med., M.D.

Contact Information

Phone Numbers

Appointment: (585) 487-1700

Fax: (585) 321-1724

A member of the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group

An Accountable Health Partner

Accepting New Patients

Locations

Comprehensive Breast Care at Pluta
125 Red Creek Drive
Suite 211
Rochester, NY 14623

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Medicine , Hematology/Oncology (SMD)
Professor - Cancer Center - Joint

Patient Care Setting

Cancer

Biography

Professional Background

Dr. Carla Falkson is the Director of the Breast Oncology Clinical Research Program and Breast Cancer Service Line at the UR Medicine Wilmot Cancer Institute. She is also the Medical Director of Pluta Cancer Center.

Dr. Falkson's research is focused on developing innovative treatments for patients with breast cancer. For the past three decades, she has been actively involved in the development and planning of clinical trials using new agents, including genomic and other translational approaches such as circulating tumor DNA, to improve the selection of patients for specific treatments and thus improving the outcome for patients. As a seasoned investigator, she has led the Eastern Co-operative Group Research at her previous two institutions and now continues this legacy of excellence at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Dr. Falkson's philosophy is to understand the patient and his or her disease. She believes it is important to listen to a patient and hear their needs especially since their cancers, despite similarities, are all unique and need different approaches for treatment. She has a special interest in treating HER2 amplified (over-expressed), hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, and treatment modalities for optimal bone health in breast cancer patients. Dr. Falkson delivers the best care, which often entails cutting-edge therapies and clinical trials. She is passionate about helping current and future generations of patients with cancer.

Credentials

Education

1982
MBBCH | University Of Pretoria (South Africa)

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

09/08/1989 - 03/30/1994
Fellowship in Hematology & Oncology at Steve Biko Academic Hospital of Pretoria (South Africa)

07/01/1986 - 06/30/1987
Fellowship in Medical Oncology at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

11/23/1983 - 09/07/1989
Residency in Hematology & Oncology at Steve Biko Academic Hospital of Pretoria (South Africa)

11/22/1982 - 11/22/1983
Internship at Kalafong Hospital Pretoria (South Africa)

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Awards

2018
Unsung Hero Award
Sponsor: Dept of Medicine, University of Alabama
Location: Birmingham, Alabama

2013 - 2017
Directory Listing
Sponsor: Castle Connolly's Top Doctors

2012 - Present
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Sponsor: US News Top Doctors

2012 - 2013
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Sponsor: Castle Connolly's Top Doctors 2012-2013

2000 - Present
Directory Listing
Sponsor: Outstanding Personalities of the 20th Century

2000 - Present
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Sponsor: Outstanding Women of the 20th Century

2000 - Present
Directory Listing
Sponsor: Outstanding Scholars of the 20th Century

2000 - Present
Directory Listing
Sponsor: Outstanding Intellectuals of the 20th Century

2000 - Present
Directory Listing
Sponsor: Outstanding People of the 20th Century, 2nd Edition

2000 - 2001
Directory Listing
Sponsor: Who's Who and Healthcare 3rd edition 2000-2001

1999
Research Committee Merit Certificate for outstanding article in all categories
Sponsor: Faculty of Medicine, University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa

1998
ECOG Statistical Center Award for Excellence in Data Management
Sponsor: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)
Location: University of Pretoria, S Africa

1997
Sister Joan Award for Outstanding Achievement and Service to the Community
Sponsor: St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls
Location: Pretoria, S Africa

1996
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group award for best Quality of Life Evaluations submitted
Sponsor: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)
Location: Pretoria, S Africa

1996
ECOG Statistical Center Award for Excellence in Quality of Data
Sponsor: ECOG Statistical Center Award for Excellence in Quality of Data
Location: University of Pretoria, S Africa

1995 - Present
Directory Listing
Sponsor: Who's Who in America

1995 - Present
Directory Listing
Sponsor: Who's Who in Science

1995 - Present
Directory Listing
Sponsor: Dictionary of International Biography

1995 - Present
Directory Listing
Sponsor: Who's Who in the World

1995 - Present
Women's Directory
Sponsor: Listing of Leading Women in South Africa

1984
"MER-National" prize for article
Location: S Africa

1981
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa

1981
H W Snyman Preventive Medicine prize
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa

1980
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa

1979
H W Snyman Award for Outstanding Achievement
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa

1979
Virology Prize
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa

1979
Physiology Prize
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa

1979
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement;
Sponsor: University of Pretoria,
Location: S Africa

1978
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa

1977
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Sponsor: University of Pretoria
Location: S Africa

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Clinical Trials

EMBER-4: A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 3 Study of Adjuvant Imlunestrant vs Standard Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Patients Who Have Previously Received 2 to 5 Years of Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for ER+, HER2- Early Breast Cancer With an Increased Risk of Recurrence

Lead Researcher: Carla Falkson

The main purpose of this study is to measure how well imlunestrant works compared to standard hormone therapy in participants with early breast cancer that is estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and human epidermal receptor 2 negative (HER2-). Participants must have already taken endocrine therapy for two to five years and must have a higher-than-average risk for their cancer to return. Study participation could last up to 10 years.

View Study Details

Publications

Journal Articles

1/31/2024
Neupane N, Bawek S, Gurusinghe S, Ghaffary EM, Mirmosayyeb O, Thapa S, Falkson C, O'Regan R, Dhakal A. "Oral SERD, a Novel Endocrine Therapy for Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer." Cancers.. 2024 Jan 31; 16(3)Epub 2024 Jan 31.

2024
Millard T, Brenin C, Humphrey C, Dhakal A, Falkson C, Petroni G, Wages NA, Dillon P. "A Pilot Study of the Combination of Entinostat with Capecitabine in Advanced Breast Cancer." International journal of breast cancer.. 2024 2024:5515966. Epub 2024 Feb 07.

4/3/2023
Hallemeier CL, Moughan J, Haddock MG, Herskovic AM, Minsky BD, Suntharalingam M, Zeitzer KL, Garg MK, Greenwald BD, Komaki RU, Puckett LL, Kim H, Lloyd S, Bush DA, Kim HE, Lad TE, Meyer JE, Okawara GS, Raben A, Schefter TE, Barker JL, Falkson CI, Videtic GMM, Jacob R, Winter KA, Crane CH. "Association of Radiotherapy Duration With Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Esophageal Cancer Treated in NRG Oncology Trials: A Secondary Analysis of NRG Oncology Randomized Clinical Trials." JAMA network open.. 2023 Apr 3; 6(4):e238504. Epub 2023 Apr 03.

Books & Chapters

2005
Chapter Title: Adjuvant Therapy of Breast Cancer
Book Title: Breast Cancer in Women of African Descent.
Author List: Williams C, Falkson Carla
Edited By: Williams CKO, Olopade OI, Falkson CI
Published By: Springer 2005 in Dordrecht,The Netherlands.

2003
Book Title: Breast Cancer
Author List: Falkson C I
Published By: Oxmoor House 2003 in Birmingham, Alabama

1998
Chapter Title: Breast Cancer
Book Title: MIMS Disease Review
Author List: Falkson C I, Eek R W
Edited By: J R Snyman, de K Sommers
Published By: MIMS 1998 in Pretoria

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Reviews

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information.