UR Medicine Faculty
The University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group
(URMFG) consists of over 900 specialist and primary care providers spanning 19
departments.
URMFG is certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
Accountable Health Partner
Accountable Health Partners (AHP) is a network of
over 2,000 community and UR medical faculty and a dozen leading hospitals throughout the
region. AHP offers a full range of care.
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 pat...
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.
Faculty Appointments
Professor
-
Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology (SMD)
Credentials
Residency & Fellowship
Fellowship, Hematology & Oncology, Steve Biko Academic Hospital of Pretoria (South Africa). 1989 - 1994
Fellowship, Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. 1986 - 1987
Residency, Hematology & Oncology, Steve Biko Academic Hospital of Pretoria (South Africa). 1983 - 1989
Internship, Kalafong Hospital Pretoria (South Africa). 1982 - 1983
Education
MBBCH | University Of Pretoria (South Africa).1982
Awards
Unsung Hero Award.2018
Directory Listing.2013 - 2017
Directory Listing.2012 - 2013
Directory Listing.2012
Directory Listing.2000 - 2001
Directory Listing.2000
Directory Listing.2000
Directory Listing.2000
Directory Listing.2000
Directory Listing.2000
Research Committee Merit Certificate for outstanding article in all categories.1999
ECOG Statistical Center Award for Excellence in Data Management.1998
Sister Joan Award for Outstanding Achievement and Service to the Community.1997
ECOG Statistical Center Award for Excellence in Quality of Data.1996
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group award for best Quality of Life Evaluations submitted.1996
Women's Directory.1995
Directory Listing.1995
Directory Listing.1995
Directory Listing.1995
Directory Listing.1995
"MER-National" prize for article.1984
H W Snyman Preventive Medicine prize.1981
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement.1981
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement.1980
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement;.1979
Physiology Prize.1979
Virology Prize.1979
H W Snyman Award for Outstanding Achievement.1979
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement.1978
Merit Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement.1977
This Phase III Trial will determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) added to ovarian function suppression (OFS) plus endocrine therapy (ET) is superior to OFS plus ET in improving invasive breast cancer-free survival (IBCFS) among premenopausal, ...
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-). Participa...
Peddi PF, Fasching PA, Liu D, Quinaux E, Robert NJ, Valero V, Crown J, Falkson C, Brufsky A, Cunningham JM, Weinshilboum RM, Pienkowski T, Eiermann W, Martín M, Bee V, Wang X, Wang L, Yang E, Slamon DJ, Hurvitz SA
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.. 2022 May 228 (9):1854-1862. Epub 1900 01 01.
Kizub DA, Miao J, Schubert MM, Paterson AHG, Clemons M, Dees EC, Ingle JN, Falkson CI, Barlow WE, Hortobagyi GN, Gralow JR
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer.. 2021 May 29 (5):2509-2517. Epub 09/15/2020.
Stringer-Reasor EM, May JE, Olariu E, Caterinicchia V, Li Y, Chen D, Della Manna DL, Rocque GB, Vaklavas C, Falkson CI, Nabell LM, Acosta EP, Forero-Torres A, Yang ES
Breast cancer research : BCR.. 2021 March 423 (1):30. Epub 03/04/2021.
Royce M, Bachelot T, Villanueva C, Özgüroglu M, Azevedo SJ, Cruz FM, Debled M, Hegg R, Toyama T, Falkson C, Jeong J, Srimuninnimit V, Gradishar WJ, Arce C, Ridolfi A, Lin C, Cardoso F
JAMA oncology.. 2018 July 14 (7):977-984. Epub 1900 01 01.
Hurvitz SA, Betting DJ, Stern HM, Quinaux E, Stinson J, Seshagiri S, Zhao Y, Buyse M, Mackey J, Driga A, Damaraju S, Sliwkowski MX, Robert NJ, Valero V, Crown J, Falkson C, Brufsky A, Pienkowski T, Eiermann W, Martin M, Bee V, Marathe O, Slamon DJ, Timmerman JM
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.. 2012 June 1518 (12):3478-86. Epub 04/13/2012.
Slamon D, Eiermann W, Robert N, Pienkowski T, Martin M, Press M, Mackey J, Glaspy J, Chan A, Pawlicki M, Pinter T, Valero V, Liu MC, Sauter G, von Minckwitz G, Visco F, Bee V, Buyse M, Bendahmane B, Tabah-Fisch I, Lindsay MA, Riva A, Crown J,
The New England journal of medicine.. 2011 October 6365 (14):1273-83. Epub 1900 01 01.
Goss PE, Ingle JN, Alés-Martínez JE, Cheung AM, Chlebowski RT, Wactawski-Wende J, McTiernan A, Robbins J, Johnson KC, Martin LW, Winquist E, Sarto GE, Garber JE, Fabian CJ, Pujol P, Maunsell E, Farmer P, Gelmon KA, Tu D, Richardson H,
The New England journal of medicine.. 2011 June 23364 (25):2381-91. Epub 06/04/2011.
Forero-Torres A, Saleh MN, Galleshaw JA, Jones CF, Shah JJ, Percent IJ, Nabell LM, Carpenter JT, Falkson CI, Krontiras H, Urist MM, Bland KI, De Los Santos JF, Meredith RF, Caterinicchia V, Bernreuter WK, O'Malley JP, Li Y, LoBuglio AF
Clinical breast cancer.. 2010 August 110 (4):275-80. Epub 1900 01 01.
, Correa C, McGale P, Taylor C, Wang Y, Clarke M, Davies C, Peto R, Bijker N, Solin L, Darby S
Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs.. 2010 2010 (41):162-77. Epub 1900 01 01.
A Phase II Study of the Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Vorinostat, in Combination with Trastuzumab in Patients with Advanced Metastatic and/or Local Chest Wall Recurrent HER-2 Amplified Breast Cancer Resistant to Trastuzumab-Containing Therapy: (E1104) a Trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.
Swaby R;Wang M; Sparano J;Bhalla K, Meropol N; Falkson C; Pellegrino C; Klein P; Goldstein L;Sledge Jr G.
Clarke M, Collins R, Darby S, Davies C, Elphinstone P, Evans V, Godwin J, Gray R, Hicks C, James S, MacKinnon E, McGale P, McHugh T, Peto R, Taylor C, Wang Y,
Lancet.. 2005 December 17366 (9503):2087-106. Epub 1900 01 01.
Nabholtz JM, Falkson C, Campos D, Szanto J, Martin M, Chan S, Pienkowski T, Zaluski J, Pinter T, Krzakowski M, Vorobiof D, Leonard R, Kennedy I, Azli N, Murawsky M, Riva A, Pouillart P,
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.. 2003 March 1521 (6):968-75. Epub 1900 01 01.
Mullin V, Cella D, Chang CH, Eremenco S, Mertz M, Lent L, Falkson C, Falkson G
Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation.. 2000 March 9 (2):139-49. Epub 1900 01 01.
South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde.. 1999 August 89 (8):844-5. Epub 1900 01 01.
Phase II trial of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (Flu/Cy) in patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia: An eastern cooperative oncology group study (E1997)
European journal of cancer : official journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR).. 1991 27 (10):1208-11. Epub 1900 01 01.
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. Learn more about
our survey process.
Ratings
Care provider's discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)
4.8 stars
Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others
4.8 stars
Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition
4.8 stars
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care
4.9 stars
Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries
4.8 stars
Patient Comments
Professional and trustworthy
Dec 21, 2024
Carla Falkson seemed to be in a hurry to finish with me. [...] Not that she was bad, but she was not good. I was not impressed.
Dec 21, 2024
We had a good talk about a troubling medial situation
Nov 29, 2024
Dr. Falkson did not appear prepared for my time with her. It does not engender a great deal of confidence when the greeting is "why are you here?"
Nov 17, 2024
Excellent care
Nov 17, 2024
Dr. Falkson is incredible. She listens, cares, and takes all the time she can with me. I would recommend her to anyone.
Nov 06, 2024
5.0 stars
I have complete confidence in Dr. Falkson. She is compassionate, knowledgeable and is a top notch veteran physician in Rochester.
Oct 15, 2024
5.0 stars
I have always been glad I left [...] and started here
Aug 02, 2024
5.0 stars
Excellent care giver, went about and beyond expectations.
Jul 30, 2024
5.0 stars
EVERYONE at Pluta has been exceptional.I'm confident I am getting the BEST care possible!
Jul 23, 2024
5.0
Dr. Falkson is a phenomenal provider. I trust her implicitly. She always listens to my concerns, and she always answers my questions thoroughly. I highly recommend her. This region is so lucky to have her.
Mar 03, 2024
5.0
Dr. Falkson was very thorough with explaining to me stages of my cancer and options of care. She was very accommodating with providing me an exam room that I would be comfortable in.
Jan 27, 2024
5.0
My experiences with Dr. Falkson have been and continue to be the best I could ever imagine. She's been the pillar of support for me and I couldn't imagine a better caregiver than her. She's given me so much strength and medical help after my stage 4 cancer diagnosis 3 years ago. Her knowledge, concern and demeanor as a physician are unrivaled. I am so happy and blessed she was the oncologist who I received to help me on this journey.
Dec 01, 2023
5.0
Very helpful for major health issue.
Nov 08, 2023
3.8
Good experience but not great
Jun 30, 2023
5.0
Provider explain everything to me the medicine the steps that I have to take for the next procedure towards doing my chemo
Jun 08, 2023
5.0
I have already recommended this team!
May 14, 2023
5.0
Thank you so much for reviewing my tests and helping with next steps!
Mar 31, 2023
5.0
Good
Jan 30, 2023
Very good experience
Jan 18, 2023
5.0
I have already referred a patient to this physician. [...] Grateful to have a doc that seems to be a strong advocate for me.
Jan 07, 2023
4.6
Dr. Falkson and her team have always taken the time to explain my health issues and options along with the risks and benefits. They have included me in the decision making to the extent possible and always make certain that I both understand and agree with my plan of care. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful care team.
Nov 14, 2022
3.0
When I mentioned that was not sleeping well, rather than compassion, or a solution I was told how little sleep she was experiencing.
Oct 28, 2022
I think dr. Falkson is the best
Oct 25, 2022
4.6
My doctor overruled my wishes - which was for my own good. I'm so glad she did!
Aug 30, 2022
Dr. Falkson has been excellent
Jul 23, 2022
Dr. Falkson always makes sure to discuss all the above aspects of my health conditions, clearly and fully with me on every zoom appointment. I would highly recommend Dr, Falkson and her staff to anyone needing care for breast cancer.
Jun 30, 2022
5.0
Dr. Falkson is outstanding In her field. I would recommend her with no hesitations.
May 14, 2022
Dr Falkson is always very attentive and completely answers and questions I have.