


Leslie N. Anderson, PA-C
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
University of Washington School of Medicine
UW Medicine
Oncology urgent care, lung cancer

I help you clarify what living well means to you and ensure that your voice is heard.
”Why do you practice oncology?
My career began in critical care, working with patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). One day, I cared for a woman with colon cancer, and she and I developed a great rapport. I discovered that working in oncology was my calling, and I’ve been immersed in cancer care ever since. It challenges my brain, but more importantly, this specialty allows me to make good use of one of my innate gifts: connecting with patients. I see myself as an advocate, sharing complex health information in a way that you can understand and use to make conscious choices that are in your best interest.

Specialties and clinical expertise
The branch of medicine a provider practices and their areas of focus
Medical Oncology
I am a board-certified physician assistant with nearly 30 years of experience in cancer care. My background includes serving as an inpatient bone marrow transplant nurse, caring for people with cancers affecting the lungs, head and neck, and working in the oncology unit at the Seattle VA. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with patients involved in Phase 1 clinical trials for immunotherapy.
Currently, I specialize in providing urgent care for patients with a variety of cancers. If you have an emergent issue, such as an allergic reaction to a drug, my colleagues and I will evaluate your problem or symptom and provide timely care.
What personal experiences have informed your approach to care?
My father, who was my hero, passed away from multiple myeloma in 2005. He was grateful for every day he had, and he pursued treatment as long as it didn’t require hospitalization. On the other hand, my brother, who was diagnosed with a blood disorder called amyloidosis, chose a more aggressive approach to treatment with multiple procedures. For me, these experiences reinforced the fact that each person has to figure out for themselves what it means to live well, regardless of their diagnosis, the state of their health or how much time they have left. As your care provider, I focus on helping you clarify what living well means to you and ensure that your voice is heard.
Languages
Your care team

