Breast Health

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

For people at increased risk for breast cancer, 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.

Breast Health Care Tailored to You

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Clinic Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday

Fred Hutch Breast Imaging Services

We offer breast imaging with 3D mammography (including same-day interpretation), breast MRI and breast ultrasound.

Fred Hutch Breast Health Program Overview

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

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 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  • Perform minor procedures, such as skin punch and core needle breast biopsies.
  • Calculate your estimated lifetime risk of breast cancer 
  • Recommend a comprehensive individualized screening program.
  • Recommend breast cancer risk reduction strategies, including medication to lower your risk of breast cancer.
  • Offer consultation for breast surgery with a breast surgeon when appropriate.
  • 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 directed by your provider.
  • 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 at Fred Hutch to talk about treatment options.

Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms

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

Common Warning Signs

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

Other Signs

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

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

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.

Location and Directions

Fred Hutch Breast Health Program

Location: 
Sloan Clinic 1
1354 Aloha St., 3rd Floor
Seattle, WA 98109

Directions:
From I-5:

  • Exit at Seattle Center/Mercer Street exit.
  • Move to the far-right lane.
  • Turn right at the bottom of the exit ramp and turn right onto Fairview Ave. N.
  • Turn right on Aloha Street; the Breast Health Program is on the corner of Aloha and Eastlake Ave East.

Parking:
Parking at Fred Hutch is available in the garage under Sloan Clinic 1. Disability parking is also available and marked in the garage. Metered street parking is located near the clinic.

UW Medical Center – Northwest Breast Health Program

Location:
11011 Meridian Ave N., 1st floor, Suite 101
Seattle, WA 98133

Directions:
From North:

  • I-5 South to N. Northgate Way
  • Exit 173
  • Take a right off the exit
  • Go through Meridian Ave. N. (first light)
  • First driveway on the right, right after light

From South:

  • I-5 North to 1st Ave. NE, Exit 173
  • Take a left off exit
  • Take a left on Northgate Way
  • Go through Meridian Ave. N. (first light)
  • First driveway on the right, right after light

Parking:
There is parking under the building in the garage.

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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 more about breast health equity.

Breast Health Care Team