Breast Health Clinic

If you have an abnormal mammogram, breast lump, nipple discharge or other breast concern, the breast specialists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Breast Health Clinic can help. We provide evaluations quickly, and we diagnose and treat a full range of breast health issues.

Our team also designs individualized screening and follow-up plans to reduce breast cancer risk and detect breast cancer early.

Most breast changes that you or your health care provider can see or feel are not cancer. Schedule an appointment to see our knowledgeable staff so you can be sure. If you do have cancer, or another condition, it is best to know sooner and get the services you need. Every day, we help people understand their breast health and plan what to do next.

Call (206) 606-6487 to request an evaluation.

Mammogram An X-ray of the breast. An X-ray of the breast. A mammogram is a method of finding breast cancer that can’t be felt using the fingers. Mammograms are done with a special type of x-ray machine used only for this purpose. Screening Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease. Examples of cancer screening tests are the mammogram (for breast cancer), colonoscopy (for colon cancer) and Pap and HPV tests (for cervical cancer). Screening can also include a genetic test to check for a person’s risk of developing an inherited disease.

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Our focus is breast health

At the Breast Health Clinic, you will be taken care of by UW Medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses who are experts in breast disease. We provide comprehensive breast health services, paying attention to your individual needs. This is also our surgery clinic. If you need breast surgery, our team helps you get ready, does your surgery and helps you recover.

Meet the Breast Health Clinic Team

Our focus is breast health

Breast Health Equity Program

We are committed to providing a safe and equitable space where all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity or age have a fair and just opportunity to manage their overall breast health care. Learn about our study to help improve breast health care for Black women everywhere.

Breast Health Equity Program

Breast cancer signs and symptoms

Many people regularly check their breasts for common warning signs of cancer, including:

A painless lump in your breast
Abnormal thickening of your breast tissue
A change in the density of your breast

Less often, breast cancer can show up as:

A lump under your arm
Red or scaly skin on your breast
A change in your nipple (such as discharge or inversion)
Dimpling of the skin over your breast

In inflammatory breast cancer:

Your breast may be red, swollen and warm to the touch, like the symptoms of an infection.
The surface of your breast may look pitted, like the skin of an orange (because the cancer cells block lymph vessels in your skin).
Sometimes, there is no lump in the breast that you can see or feel.

Sign In medicine, a sign is something found during a physical exam or from a laboratory test that shows that a person may have a condition or disease. In medicine, a sign is something found during a physical exam or from a laboratory test that shows that a person may have a condition or disease. Some examples of signs are fever, swelling, skin rash, high blood pressure and high blood glucose. Symptom A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea and pain.

Breast cancer signs and symptoms

Here is a guide to common — and some less common — breast changes you might notice.

What happens at the Breast Health Clinic?

Our breast fellowship-trained surgeons, breast specialty advanced practice providers and experienced nurses provide complete evaluations of breast problems. We also make custom screening plans for people with higher-than-average risk for breast cancer. We treat benign (noncancerous) breast problems as well as breast cancer.

What happens at your visit depends on your exact needs. Here are some of the services we often provide:

Do a clinical breast exam.
Recommend all the imaging tests you need for your exact situation.
Talk with you about breast imaging tests, such as a mammogram, ultrasound or MRI.
Perform minor procedures, such as breast or skin biopsies.
Provide care before and after surgery if you have breast surgery at UW Medical Center – Montlake or UW Medical Center – Northwest.
Provide follow-up care.
Refer you for genetic counseling, testing or both.

If your visit leads to a biopsy and diagnosis of breast cancer, we will connect you quickly with the rest of the breast cancer experts you will need at Fred Hutch.

Benign Not cancer. Benign tumors may grow larger but do not spread to other parts of the body. Biopsy The removal of a sample of tissue or fluid that is examined to see whether cancer is present. This may be done with a large needle or through surgical removal of tissue or fluids. Biopsy The removal of a sample of tissue or fluid that is examined to see whether cancer is present. This may be done with a large needle or through surgical removal of tissue or fluids. Imaging In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as X-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves) and radio waves. Mammogram An X-ray of the breast. An X-ray of the breast. A mammogram is a method of finding breast cancer that can’t be felt using the fingers. Mammograms are done with a special type of x-ray machine used only for this purpose. Magnetic resonance imaging A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or X-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints and the inside of bones. Screening Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease. Examples of cancer screening tests are the mammogram (for breast cancer), colonoscopy (for colon cancer) and Pap and HPV tests (for cervical cancer). Screening can also include a genetic test to check for a person’s risk of developing an inherited disease. Ultrasound A procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to look at tissues and organs inside the body. The sound waves make echoes that form pictures of the tissues and organs on a computer screen. A procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to look at tissues and organs inside the body. The sound waves make echoes that form pictures of the tissues and organs on a computer screen (sonogram). Ultrasound may be used to help diagnose diseases, such as cancer. It may also be used during pregnancy to check the fetus (unborn baby) and during medical procedures, such as biopsies. Also called ultrasonography.

What happens at the Breast Health Clinic?

Fred Hutch’s experienced breast health specialists customize your visit to your unique situation.

Locations and contacts

We have Breast Health Clinics at these locations in Seattle.

Breast Health Clinic at the South Lake Union Clinic
Call (206) 606-6487 to request an appointment. Get a map, directions and other details about this location.

Breast Health Clinic at UW Medical Center – Northwest
Call (206) 606-6487 to request an appointment. Get a map, directions and other details about this location.

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