Phoebe E. Freer
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Phoebe E. Freer, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

South Jordan Health Center

South Jordan
801-213-4500

University of Utah Hospital

Salt Lake City
801-581-8699

  • Dr. Freer serves as the Chief of the Breast Imaging section in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences. She is a radiologist,and leading expert in breast imaging. She has written numerous scientific and educational publications and book chapters, many focused on breast density, breast cancer screening, and digital breast tomosynthesis. She has lectured extensively both nationally and internationally, and has trained over 2800 radiologists on the use of tomosynthesis clinically. She is a strong advocate for breast cancer screening and is a Breast Cancer Screening Leader with the American College of Radiology. In addition to her work on breast cancer screening, tomosynthesis, and breast density, Dr. Freer is a clinical expert in breast cancer imaging and procedures including mammography, ultrasound, tomosynthesis, MRI, percutaneous biopsies( including stereotactic, ultrasound, and MRI biopsies), and needle-wire or radioactive seed localizations. She strives to provide compassionate, empathetic, efficient, and accurate care to decrease patient anxiety. She recently relocated to Utah from Boston where she had served on faculty at Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School for 7 years. When not at work, she enjoys time with her family being active outdoors and involved in her community.

    Specialties

  • Dr. Freer serves as the Chief of the Breast Imaging section in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences. She is a radiologist,and leading expert in breast imaging. She has written numerous scientific and educational publications and book chapters, many focused on breast density, breast cancer screening, and digital breast tomosynthesis. She has lectured extensively both nationally and internationally, and has trained over 2800 radiologists on the use of tomosynthesis clinically. She is a strong advocate for breast cancer screening and is a Breast Cancer Screening Leader with the American College of Radiology. In addition to her work on breast cancer screening, tomosynthesis, and breast density, Dr. Freer is a clinical expert in breast cancer imaging and procedures including mammography, ultrasound, tomosynthesis, MRI, percutaneous biopsies( including stereotactic, ultrasound, and MRI biopsies), and needle-wire or radioactive seed localizations. She strives to provide compassionate, empathetic, efficient, and accurate care to decrease patient anxiety. She recently relocated to Utah from Boston where she had served on faculty at Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School for 7 years. When not at work, she enjoys time with her family being active outdoors and involved in her community.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Radiology & Imaging Sciences -Primary

    Education history

    Fellowship Breast Imaging - Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Fellow
    Residency Diagnostic Radiology - Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Barnes-Jewish Hospital Resident
    Internship Internal Medicine - Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Hospital Transitional Internship
    Professional Medical Medicine - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis M.D.
    Undergraduate Mathematics - Amherst College B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Nicole Winkler, Jace Buxton, Phoebe Freer, Evan Raps, Gonzalo Barraza, Ken Boucher, Joanna Riegert, Rachel Factor (July 2023). Comparison of Diagnostic Sensitivity and Procedure-Related Pain of Concurrent Ultrasound-guided Fine-needle Aspiration and Core-needle Biopsy of Axillary Lymph Nodes in Patients with Suspected or Known Breast Cancer. J Breast Imaging, 5(4), 436-444.
    2. Theodore Brown, Leah Schafer, Muhammad Mustafa Qureshi, Phoebe Freer, Bethany L Niell, Eren D Yeh, Linda Moy, Michael D C Fishman, Priscilla J Slanetz (July/August 2023). Current Practices in Anticoagulation Management for Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Image-guided Breast Procedures. J Breast Imaging, 5(4), 445-452.
    3. Expert Panel on Breast Imaging Klein KA, Kocher M, Lourenco AP, Niell BL, Bennett DL, Chetlen A, Freer P, Ivansco LK, Jochelson MS, Kremer ME, Malak SF, McCrary M, Mehta TS, Neal CH, Porpiglia A, Ulaner GA, Moy L ACR Appropriateness Criteria Palpable Breast Masses 2022 Update J Am Coll Radiol (2023). ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Palpable Breast Masses: 2022 Update. J Am Osteopath Coll Radiol, 20(5), S146-S163.
    4. Winkler NS, Tran A, Kwok AC, Freer PE, Fajardo LL (2022). Autologous Fat Grafting to the Breast: An Educational Review. J Breast Imaging, 4(2), 209-221. (Read full article)
    5. Winkler N, Braden S, Al-Dulaimi R, Morgan M, Walczak C, Freer P (2021). Perceptions Regarding Optimal Breast Imaging Education for Radiology Residents: Results of a National Survey. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol. (Read full article)
    6. Winkler N, Braden S, Al-Dulaimi R, Morgan M, Walczak C, Freer P (2021). Perceptions Regarding Optimal Breast Imaging Education for Radiology Residents: Results of a National Survey. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol. (Read full article)
    7. Vakanski A, Xian M, Freer PE (2020). Attention-Enriched Deep Learning Model for Breast Tumor Segmentation in Ultrasound Images. Ultrasound Med Biol, 46(10), 2819-2833. (Read full article)
    8. Vakanski A, Xian M, Freer PE (2020). Attention-Enriched Deep Learning Model for Breast Tumor Segmentation in Ultrasound Images. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol, 46(10), 2819-2833. (Read full article)
    9. Freer PE, Riegert J, Eisenmenger L, Ose D, Winkler N, Stein MA, Stoddard GJ, Hess R (2017). Clinical implementation of synthesized mammography with digital breast tomosynthesis in a routine clinical practice. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 166(2), 501-509. (Read full article)
    10. Mitani AA, Freer PE, Nelson KP (2017). Summary measures of agreement and association between many raters' ordinal classifications. Ann Epidemiol, 27(10), 677-685.e4. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    12. Kalli S, Lanfranchi M, Alexander A, Makim S, Freer PE (2016). Spectrum of Extramammary Malignant Neoplasms in the Breast With Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol, 45(6), 392-401. (Read full article)
    13. Kalli S, Freer PE (January 2016). Breast Density Assessment, Risk, and Significance in the Screening of Breast Cancer. Curr Radiol Rep, 4(1), 1-9.
    14. Chan CH, Coopey SB, Freer PE, Hughes KS (2015). False-negative rate of combined mammography and ultrasound for women with palpable breast masses. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 153(3), 699-702. (Read full article)
    15. Freer PE, Slanetz P, Haas J, Tung N, Hughes K, Armstrong KA, Semine A, Troyan S, Birdwell R (2015). Breast cancer screening in the era of density notification legislation: summary of 2014 Massachusetts experience and suggestion of an evidence-based management algorithm by multi-disciplinary expert panel. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 153(2), 455-64.
    16. Freer PE, Slanetz PJ, Haas JS, Tung NM, Hughes KS, Armstrong K, Semine AA, Troyan SL, Birdwell RL (2015). Breast cancer screening in the era of density notification legislation: summary of 2014 Massachusetts experience and suggestion of an evidence-based management algorithm by multi-disciplinary expert panel. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 153(2), 455-464. (Read full article)
    17. Freer PE, Slanetz PJ, Haas JS, Tung NM, Hughes KS, Armstrong K, Semine AA, Troyan SL, Birdwell RL (2015). Breast cancer screening in the era of density notification legislation: summary of 2014 Massachusetts experience and suggestion of an evidence-based management algorithm by multi-disciplinary expert panel. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 153(2), 455-464. (Read full article)
    18. Freer PE, Niell B, Rafferty EA (2015). Preoperative Tomosynthesis-guided Needle Localization of Mammographically and Sonographically Occult Breast Lesions. Radiology, 275(2), 377-83. (Read full article)
    19. Freer PE (2015). Mammographic breast density: impact on breast cancer risk and implications for screening. Radiographics, 35(2), 302-15. (Read full article)
    20. Slanetz PJ, Freer PE, Birdwell RL (2015). Breast-density legislation--practical considerations. N Engl J Med, 372(7), 593-5. (Read full article)
    21. Humphrey KL, Saksena MA, Freer PE, Smith BL, Rafferty EA (2014). To do or not to do: axillary nodal evaluation after ACOSOG Z0011 Trial. Radiographics, 34(7), 1807-16. (Read full article)
    22. Hoagland LF, Alkasab TK, Freer PE (2014). Case tracking and sharing system to foster consistent group standards of practice and improve radiologist experience in DBT. J Am Coll Radiol, 11(9), 910-2. (Read full article)
    23. Miller CL, West JA, Bettini AC, Koerner FC, Gudewicz TM, Freer PE, Coopey SB, Gadd MA, Hughes KS, Smith BL, Rafferty E, Specht MC (2014). Surgical excision of radial scars diagnosed by core biopsy may help predict future risk of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 145(2), 331-8. (Read full article)
    24. Freer PE, Wang JL, Rafferty EA (2014). Digital breast tomosynthesis in the analysis of fat-containing lesions. Radiographics, 34(2), 343-58. (Read full article)
    25. Dang PA, Freer PE, Humphrey KL, Halpern EF, Rafferty EA (2014). Addition of tomosynthesis to conventional digital mammography: effect on image interpretation time of screening examinations. Radiology, 270(1), 49-56. (Read full article)
    26. Coopey SB, Tang R, Lei L, Freer PE, Kansal K, Colwell AS, Gadd MA, Specht MC, Austen WG Jr, Smith BL (2013). Increasing eligibility for nipple-sparing mastectomy. Ann Surg Oncol, 20(10), 3218-22. (Read full article)
    27. Hattangadi JA, Powell SN, MacDonald SM, Mauceri T, Ancukiewicz M, Freer P, Lawenda B, Alm El-Din MA, Gadd MA, Smith BL, Taghian AG (2012). Accelerated partial breast irradiation with low-dose-rate interstitial implant brachytherapy after wide local excision: 12-year outcomes from a prospective trial. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 83(3), 791-800. (Read full article)
    28. Hattangadi-Gluth JA, Wo JY, Nguyen PL, Abi Raad RF, Sreedhara M, Niemierko A, Freer PE, Georgian-Smith D, Bellon JR, Wong JS, Smith BL, Harris JR, Taghian AG (2012). Basal subtype of invasive breast cancer is associated with a higher risk of true recurrence after conventional breast-conserving therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 82(3), 1185-91. (Read full article)
    29. Kalli S, Freer PE, Rafferty EA (2010). Lesions of the skin and superficial tissue at breast MR imaging. Radiographics, 30(7), 1891-913. (Read full article)
    30. Vaughan A, Dietz JR, Aft R, Gillanders WE, Eberlein TJ, Freer P, Margenthaler JA (2007). Scientific Presentation Award. Patterns of local breast cancer recurrence after skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. Am J Surg, 194(4), 438-43. (Read full article)

    Review

    1. Freer PE (2021). The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Breast Imaging. [Review]. Radiol Clin North Am, 59(1), 1-11. (Read full article)
    2. Freer PE (2021). The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Breast Imaging. [Review]. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol, 59(1), 1-11. (Read full article)
    3. Niell B, Freer P, et al (2018). Breast Cancer Screening. [Review]. Radiol Clin North Am.
    4. Niell BL, Freer PE, Weinfurtner RJ, Arleo EK, Drukteinis JS (2017). Screening for Breast Cancer. [Review]. Radiol Clin North Am, 55(6), 1145-1162. (Read full article)
    5. Freer PE, Winkler N (2017). Synthesized Digital Mammography Imaging. [Review]. Radiol Clin North Am, 55(3), 503-512. (Read full article)
    6. Kalli S, Freer PE (2016). Breast Density Assessment, Risk, and Significance in the Screening of Breast Cancer. [Review]. Curr Radiol Rep, 4(1), 1-9. (Read full article)
    7. Kalli S, Freer PE (2016). Breast Density Assessment, Risk, and Significance in the Screening of Breast Cancer. [Review]. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol, 4(1), 1-9. (Read full article)

    Book Chapter

    1. Henry NL, Shah PD, Haider I, Freer PE, Jagsi R, Sabel MS (2019). Cancer of the Breast. In Henry NL|Shah PD|Haider I|Freer PE|Jagsi R|Sabel MS (Ed.), Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology (pp. 1560-1603.e12). (Read full article)
    2. Freer P (2018). Skin and Trabecular Thickening. In Christoph Lee, Constance Lehman, Larence Bassett (Eds.), Breast Imaging. Oxford University Press.
    3. Freer P (2018). Skin Calcifications. In Chistoph Lee, Constance Lehman, Lawrence Bassett (Eds.), Breast Imaging. Oxford University Press.
    4. Freer P (2018). Skin Lesions. In Chistoph Lee, Constance Lehman, Lawrence Bassett (Eds.), Breast Imaging. Oxford University Press.
    5. Henry L, Haider I, Freer P, et al (2018). Cancer of the Breast. In Abeloff's Clinical Oncology (6th edition). Elsevier.
    6. Freer PE, Kopans DB (2010). Screening. In Taghian AG, Smith BL, Erban JK, Thomas CR (Eds.), Breast Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment and Management.

    Commentary

    1. Expert Panelist, Phoebe Freer, MD (November 2015). New England Journal of Medicine Expert Forum - Powered by MedstroThis is a week-long discussion led by nominated expert panelists about recent articles in the NEJM. Is a Journal Club like discussion about the article: Prospective Validation of a 21-Gene Expression Assay in Breast Cancer by Saprano, Joseph et al. N Engl J Med.
    2. Freer, Phoebe E (2015). Behind Today's Confusing MAmmogram Screening Guidelines: http://fortune.com/2016/01/31/mammogram-screening-u-s-preventative-task-force/. Fortune.

    Case Report

    1. Irwin KE, Freudenreich O, Peppercorn J, Taghian AG, Freer PE, Gudewicz TM (2016). CASE RECORDS of the MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL. Case 30-2016. A 63-Year-Old Woman with Bipolar Disorder, Cancer, and Worsening Depression. N Engl J Med, 375(13), 1270-81. (Read full article)
    2. Morrow M, Winograd JM, Freer PE, Eichhorn JH (2013). Case records of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Case 8-2013. A 48-year-old woman with carcinoma in situ of the breast. N Engl J Med, 368(11), 1046-53. (Read full article)

    Editorial

    1. Freer PE (2021). An Emerging Era for Breast Imaging. Radiol Clin North Am, 59(1), xiii-xiv. (Read full article)

    Abstract

    1. Hattangadi JA, Wo JY, Nguyen PL, Abi Raad RF, Sreedhara M, Freer PE, Georgian-Smith D, Harris JR, Taghian AG (2009). Basal (or Triple Negative) Subtype of Invasive Breast Cancer (IBC) is Associated With a Higher Risk of True Recurrence/Marginal Miss (TR/MM) After Conventional Breast-conserving Therapy (BCT) [Abstract]. American Society for Radiation Oncology 51st Annual Meeting.

    Other

    1. Expert Panel on Breast Imaging, Mehta TS, Lourenco AP, Niell BL, Bennett DL, Brown A, Chetlen A, Freer P, Ivansco LK, Jochelson MS, Klein KA, Malak SF, McCrary M, Mullins D, Neal CH, Newell MS, Ulaner GA, Moy L (2022). ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Imaging After Breast Surgery. J Am Coll Radiol (19(11S), pp. S341-S356). United States. (Read full article)

    Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

    1. Freer PE (10/17/2017). End the Confusion: Why are there so many breast cancer screening guidelines [Web]. Virginia: Society of Breast Imaging. Available: https://www.sbi-online.org/endtheconfusion/Blog.aspx.

  • News & Podcasts

    News

    Huntsman Cancer Institute News