Cindy B. Matsen,
MD
Languages Spoken: English
Cindy B. Matsen is a fellowship trained breast surgeon at the University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute. She is board certified in General Surgery and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery and specializes in the surgical treatment of breast cancer and benign breast diseases. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and her MD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. She then completed a residency in General Surgery at the University of Utah and a fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She has special interests in young breast cancer patients, doctor-patient communication, patient education, and decision making. She has research interests in shared decision making, health communication, and cancer care delivery. Her works focuses on better understanding how shared decision making is viewed and implemented by providers and designing interventions to improve the shared decision making process. She is particularly interested in preference elicitation and how better training of providers in preference elicitation techniques can improve cancer outcomes. She enjoys collaborative work and has ongoing collaborations with researchers in communication, population health, epidemiology, engineering, and molecular biology. Her overall goal is to improve our ability to provide patient-centered care for cancer patients.
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Associate Professor |
| Academic Divisions | General Surgery |
| Board Certification | American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery) |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.9/ 5
Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.9/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.9/ 5
Wait time at clinic
4.4/ 5
Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.9/ 5
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
October 12, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Matsen and the resident were caring and expressed concern for my overall well being.
UofU Patient
October 05, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I would recommend Dr Matson highly.
UofU Patient
October 01, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Excellent
UofU Patient
September 12, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Matsen is amazing!!
UofU Patient
September 10, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Matson was smiling the whole time which helped my anxiety! We could even joke a little. She was very thorough & cared about my opinion. She gave me options & made it feel like it was my decision & she supported me! She was interested in my history & any anxiety I had with past family trauma! She was just so great!
UofU Patient
August 24, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Followed up by messaging to answer a question about a non-clinical test.
UofU Patient
August 09, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Follow up mammogram and direct face1to-face contact was discussed.. An appointment was to be made Thru the scheduler
UofU Patient
July 16, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Cindy Matsent was through with all comments and explanations. She was able to answer all questions in a manner I could understand. She set me on the path for the next step. She is quite knowledgeable and compassionate.
UofU Patient
July 05, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Good
UofU Patient
July 04, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Matsen was very knowledgable and I felt that we were "on the same page" for treatment.
UofU Patient
June 24, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Matsen is very thorough and informative.
UofU Patient
June 13, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Matsen was extremely helpful and informative and showed much compassion.
UofU Patient
June 13, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
good
UofU Patient
June 13, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Matsen is wonderful. I feel fortunate that she's my doctor.
UofU Patient
June 12, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
never been with a provider who included me as much as Dr. Matson and was genuinely concerned about my care. Love everything about. her, her staff and this visit.
UofU Patient
June 11, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Cindy Matsen is Amazing! She has gone above and beyond to help me. She and her staff are quick to respond to any message or call and they have helped me every step of my surgical process.
UofU Patient
June 08, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Great
UofU Patient
June 06, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Matsen was extremely knowledgeable and companionate. Explaining the different steps and going through all of them one by one. I really like the printed handout she used and have referred to it numerous times since I have returned home
UofU Patient
May 24, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Matson was wonderful! She had a clear and informative presentation and showed compassion about my health issues.
UofU Patient
May 23, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Matsen always shows concern for me and answers all of my questions.
UofU Patient
May 17, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I have never had a doctor spend as much time and explain things as thoroughly as Dr Matsen did.
UofU Patient
May 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Matsen has been the absolute best doctor I have ever had
UofU Patient
May 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I received information beyond what I have ever received.
UofU Patient
May 02, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
spent a long time explaining everything. good listener.
UofU Patient
May 01, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Matsen spent a lot of time visiting with me about my Angio-sarcoma diagnosis. she took the time to help me understand my options and listened to what I felt and wanted to move forward. We agreed to move ahead with an immediate surgery. I am very grateful for her, she is saving my life.
UofU Patient
May 01, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Matsen is an excellent doctor. She is very caring and has spent a lot of time and effort in helping me to get the correct diagnosis. She has brought in additional experts. I am very grateful for her.
UofU Patient
May 01, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
wonderful physicians
UofU Patient
April 16, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
All questions were answered and put me at ease about what had to happen.
UofU Patient
March 28, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
It went well.
UofU Patient
March 20, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Matsen is a kind knowledgeable care provider I would highly recommend her to everyone
UofU Patient
March 12, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Cindy Matsen is an excellent doctor. she explained my health issues thoroughly to my understanding of all phases of my surgery from treatments of pre-surgery and post-surgery. I am blessed to have her as my physician.
UofU Patient
March 09, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
good
UofU Patient
February 07, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Matson was marvelous!
UofU Patient
February 03, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Wow! I love Dr Matsen, her beside manner, her personability, and how she explained the process I was going to go through. If only all providers took the time.....
UofU Patient
February 02, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Matsen was very informative about ALL that was going on with my treatments, even with the chemo & radiation treatments. side affects, etc. She was very good at explaining things to me. She didn't rush through the appt, which I appreciated.
UofU Patient
January 29, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
She very comprehensively explained everything and listen to my concerns as well.
UofU Patient
January 19, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Great bedside manner, friendly staff, fully confident in this provider
UofU Patient
January 10, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Matsen was very thorough in explaining my complicated cancer situation and the options available to me. I felt it was the first time I fully understood my situation .
UofU Patient
December 24, 2020
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Matsen is absolutely amazing! I felt calm and trust in talking to her. Dr. Matsen was easy to talk to and explained everything in a way that I understood. She was very cheerful and has a personality that makes me feel at ease and treats me like I'm a friend. Her staff is incredible and friendly.
UofU Patient
December 22, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I was able to ask for Dr Matsen's honest opinion about my personal situation, best case, ease of movement after surgery, etc. That was INCREDIBLE to me, I wasn't pushed one way or another and trust her professional opinion.
UofU Patient
December 18, 2020
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Matsen's interpersonal skills are excellent as is her ability to clearly explain and clarify all questions and address concerns
UofU Patient
December 05, 2020
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
the entire team is amazing and Dr Matsen is the best doctor I have ever met
UofU Patient
November 28, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Matsen explained that there was a buildup of fluids in my left breast that should be dissolved back into my body. I'm just hoping it happens soon as it seems to have spread.
UofU Patient
November 27, 2020
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Alll questions were thoughtfully answered..
UofU Patient
November 20, 2020
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Matsen's presentation of all general DCIS data was provided with precise descriptions, visuals from the DCIS booklet and allowing for opportunities to request clarification or ask a question... very interactive..
UofU Patient
November 15, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I could not have been more pleased with my visit. Dr. Matsen gives organized, thorough explanations and takes time to answer all questions. She is quite amazing.
UofU Patient
November 11, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Matsen was extremely well prepared and presented us with a wealth of information and recommended possible courses to treatment going forward.
UofU Patient
November 08, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Matsen is very kind and caring. She takes time to help you understand everything and leaves no stone unturned.
UofU Patient
November 01, 2020
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Matsen has been wonderful to deal with throughout my breast cancer ordeal. She has provided comprehensive and detailed answers to all of my questions, as well as comprehensive information regarding my lumpectomy and its aftermath. I feel I have been well informed throughout my treatment, and I feel that she has been with me every step of the way. My husband and I are very grateful to Dr. Matsen and her staff.
UofU Patient
October 26, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Matsen was very thorough and thoughtful.
Cindy B. Matsen is a fellowship trained breast surgeon at the University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute. She is board certified in General Surgery and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery and specializes in the surgical treatment of breast cancer and benign breast diseases. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and her MD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. She then completed a residency in General Surgery at the University of Utah and a fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She has special interests in young breast cancer patients, doctor-patient communication, patient education, and decision making. She has research interests in shared decision making, health communication, and cancer care delivery. Her works focuses on better understanding how shared decision making is viewed and implemented by providers and designing interventions to improve the shared decision making process. She is particularly interested in preference elicitation and how better training of providers in preference elicitation techniques can improve cancer outcomes. She enjoys collaborative work and has ongoing collaborations with researchers in communication, population health, epidemiology, engineering, and molecular biology. Her overall goal is to improve our ability to provide patient-centered care for cancer patients.
Academic Locations
Research Statement
Cindy B. Matsen is a fellowship trained breast surgeon at the University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute. She is board certified in General Surgery and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery and specializes in the surgical treatment of breast cancer and benign breast diseases. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and her MD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. She then completed a residency in General Surgery at the University of Utah and a fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She has special interests in young breast cancer patients, doctor-patient communication, patient education, and decision making. Her research focuses on developing methods to help providers better engage patients in the treatment decision making process so that patients get better care.
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Associate Professor |
| Academic Divisions | General Surgery |
| Board Certification | American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery) |
Education History
| Graduate Training | University of Utah Health Services Research M.S.C.I, 2017 |
| Fellowship | Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Breast Surgical Oncology Fellow, 2014 |
| Residency | University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals General Surgery Resident, 2013 |
| Professional Medical | University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Medicine M.D., 2006 |
| Undergraduate | University of Oregon Biology B.S., 2001 |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Agarwal S, Pappas L, Matsen CB, Agarwal JP (2020). Second primary breast cancer after unilateral mastectomy alone or with contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. Cancer Med, 9(21), 8043-8052.
- Gutnik L, Allen CM, Presson AP, Matsen CB (2020). Breast Cancer Surgery Decision Role Perceptions and Choice of Surgery. Ann Surg Oncol, 27(10), 3623-3632.
- Serpico V, Mone M, Zhang C, Presson A, Matsen C, Junkins S, Killian H, Porretta J, Agarwal J, Nelson E (2020). Standard preoperative use of nonopioid multi-modal medications for patients undergoing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and the effect on postoperative opioid needs. Breast J, 26(5), 966-970.
- Matsen CB, Ray D, Kaphingst KA, Zhang C, Presson AP, Finlayson SRG (2019). Patient Satisfaction With Decision Making Does Not Correlate With Patient Centeredness of Surgeons. J Surg Res, 246, 411-418.
- Taylor MA, Allen CM, Presson AP, Millar MM, Zurbuchen R, Matsen CB (2019). Exploring Surgeon Variability in Recommendations for Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy: What Matters Most? Ann Surg Oncol, 26(10), 3224-3231.
- Albright FS, Kohlmann W, Neumayer L, Buys SS, Matsen CB, Kaphingst KA, Cannon-Albright LA (2019). Population-based relative risks for specific family history constellations of breast cancer. Cancer Causes Control, 30(6), 581-590.
- Garlick JW, Olson KA, Downs-Kelly E, Bucher BT, Matsen CB (2018). Secretory breast carcinoma in an 8-year-old girl: A case report and literature review. Breast J, 24(6), 1055-1061.
- Kaphingst KA, Ivanovich J, Lyons S, Biesecker B, Dresser R, Elrick A, Matsen C, Goodman M (2018). Preferences for learning different types of genome sequencing results among young breast cancer patients: Role of psychological and clinical factors. Transl Behav Med, 8(1), 71-79.
- Frandsen JE, Cannon G, Kokeny KE, Gaffney DK, Matsen C, Wright M, Poppe MM (2017). Is radiation indicated for young women with early stage, node-negative breast cancer after mastectomy? A multi-institution, retrospective review. Breast J, 24(1), 7-11.
- Carmichael H, Matsen C, Freer P, Kohlmann W, Stein M, Buys SS, Colonna S (2017). Breast cancer screening of pregnant and breastfeeding women with BRCA mutations. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 162(2), 225-230.
- Cohen AL, Factor RE, Mooney K, Salama ME, Wade M, Serpico V, Ostrander E, Nelson E, Porretta J, Matsen C, Bernard P, Boucher K, Neumayer L (2017). POWERPIINC (PreOperative Window of Endocrine TheRapy Provides Information to Increase Compliance) trial: Changes in tumor proliferation index and quality of life with 7 days of preoperative tamoxifen. Breast, 31, 219-223.
- Kaphingst KA, Ivanovich J, Elrick A, Dresser R, Matsen C, Goodman MS (2016). How, who, and when: preferences for delivery of genome sequencing results among women diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. Mol Genet Genomic Med, 4(6), 684-695.
- Matsen C, Villegas K, Eaton A, Stempel M, Manning A, Cody HS, Morrow M, Heerdt A (2016). Late Axillary Recurrence After Negative Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy is Uncommon. Ann Surg Oncol, 23(8), 2456-61.
- Ugras S, Matsen C, Eaton A, Stempel M, Morrow M, Cody HS 3rd (2016). Reoperative Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy is Feasible for Locally Recurrent Breast Cancer, But is it Worthwhile? Ann Surg Oncol, 23(3), 744-8.
- Matsen CB, Mehrara B, Eaton A, Capko D, Berg A, Stempel M, Van Zee KJ, Pusic A, King TA, Cody HS 3rd, Pilewskie M, Cordeiro P, Sclafani L, Plitas G, Gemignani ML, Disa J, El-Tamer M, Morrow M (2016). Skin Flap Necrosis After Mastectomy With Reconstruction: A Prospective Study. Ann Surg Oncol, 23(1), 257-64.
- Frandsen J, Ly D, Cannon G, Suneja G, Matsen C, Gaffney DK, Wright M, Kokeny KE, Poppe MM (2015). In the Modern Treatment Era, Is Breast Conservation Equivalent to Mastectomy in Women Younger Than 40 Years of Age? A Multi-Institution Study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 93(5), 1096-103.
- Poruk KE, Ying J, Chidester JR, Olson JR, Matsen CB, Neumayer L, Agarwal J (2015). Breast cancer recurrence after nipple-sparing mastectomy: one institution's experience. Am J Surg, 209(1), 212-7.
- Matsen CB, Hirsch A, Eaton A, Stempel M, Heerdt A, Van Zee KJ, Cody HS 3rd, Morrow M, Plitas G (2014). Extent of microinvasion in ductal carcinoma in situ is not associated with sentinel lymph node metastases. Ann Surg Oncol, 21(10), 3330-5.
- Gligorich KM, Vaden RM, Shelton DN, Wang G, Matsen CB, Looper RE, Sigman MS, Welm BE (2013). Development of a screen to identify selective small molecules active against patient-derived metastatic and chemoresistant breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res, 15(4), R58.
- Lum DH, Matsen C, Welm AL, Welm BE (2012). Overview of human primary tumorgraft models: comparisons with traditional oncology preclinical models and the clinical relevance and utility of primary tumorgrafts in basic and translational oncology research. Curr Protoc Pharmacol, Chapter 14, Unit 14.22.
- Matsen CB, Luther SL, Stewart AK, Henderson WG, Kim H, Neumayer LA (2012). A match made in heaven? Trying to combine ACS-NSQIP and NCDB databases. J Surg Res, 175(1), 6-11.
- DeRose YS, Wang G, Lin YC, Bernard PS, Buys SS, Ebbert MT, Factor R, Matsen C, Milash BA, Nelson E, Neumayer L, Randall RL, Stijleman IJ, Welm BE, Welm AL (2011). Tumor grafts derived from women with breast cancer authentically reflect tumor pathology, growth, metastasis and disease outcomes. Nat Med, 17(11), 1514-20.
Review
- Matsen C, Van Zee KJ (03/2014). Use of Established Nomograms to Predict Non-Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis. [Review]. Curr Breast Cancer Rep, 6(1).
- Matsen CB, Neumayer LA (2013). Breast cancer: a review for the general surgeon. [Review]. JAMA Surg, 148(10), 971-9.
Commentary
- Matsen CB, Neumayer LA (2016). Commentary on Pilewskie M, Jochelson M, Gooch J et al. “Is Preoperative Axillary Imaging beneficial in Identifying Clinically Node-Negative Patients Requiring Axillary Dissection?” J Am Coll Surg. 2016 Feb;222(2):138-45. Selected Readings in General Surgery.
- Matsen CB (2016). Commentary on Locoregional Control According to Breast Cancer Subtype and Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Breast-conserving Therapy: Swisher SK, Vila J, Tucker SL, et al (The Univ of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Ctr, Houston) Ann Surg Oncol 23:749-756, 2016. Breast Dis Year Bk Q, 27(4), 306-307.
- Weitz A, Matsen CB (2016). Commentary on Differences in Response and Surgical management with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in invasive lobular vs ductal breast cancer. Truin W, Vugts G,, Roumen RM, et al. Ann Surg Oncol. 2016 Jan;23(1):51-7. Breast Dis Year Bk Q, 27(3), 222-224.
- Matsen CB (2016). Commentary on Regional Lymphatic Recurrence After Salvage Surgery for Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Recurrence of Breast Cancer Without Local Treatment for Regional Lymphatic Basin. Breast Dis Year Bk Q, 26(2).
- Bowen M and Matsen CB (April-June 2015). Commentary on Local Recurrence Rates are Low in High-Risk Neoadjuvant Breast Cancer in the I-SPY 1 Trial (CALGB 150007/150012;ACRIN 6657). Breast Dis Year Bk Q, 26(1), 63-65.
Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast
- Matsen (August 2016). Want To Know Her: Cindy Matsen - Studio 5 - KSL.com, August 26, 2016studio5.ksl.com/?nid=71&sid=41210478 [Video].
- Cindy B Matsen (2015). Introduction to the Huntsman Cancer Institute's Breast Cancer Clinic [Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZAMUx5wDSg.
- Cindy B Matsen (2015). What to Expect After Surgery [Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YGH0MnN644.
- Cindy B Matsen (2015). Surgery for Breast Cancer [Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKtCgNBcY5c.
- Cindy B Matsen (2015). What We Need to Know to Treat Your Breast Cancer [Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w1P8WLiWnY.
Patent
- Matsen CB (2012). Zebularine as an Inhibitor of DNA Methylation. U.S. Patent No. 8,207,142 B2. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
News Articles
Huntsman Cancer Institute News
The Scope & Other Podcasts
- Talks with Docs - Cindy Matsen, MD
- What to Expect After Breast Cancer Surgery
- Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy: Which is Right for You?
- Introduction to the Huntsman Cancer Institute's Breast Cancer Clinic - Cindy Matsen, MD
- Surgery for Breast Cancer - Cindy Matsen, MD
- What We Need to Know to Treat Your Breast Cancer - Cindy Matsen, MD
- What to Expect After Surgery - Cindy Matsen, MD