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Cheng
Heather H. Cheng, MD, PhD
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Heather H. Cheng, MD, PhD

Medical Oncology

Genetics

  • Clinical Director, Cancer Genetics, Fred Hutch
  • Director, Prostate Cancer Genetics Clinic, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Marty Lazarus Weiden Family Endowed Chair, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
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About

Dr. Heather Cheng is a board-certified medical oncologist at Fred Hutch who cares for patients with prostate cancer and leads research using cancer genetics and genomics to guide personalized treatment, prevention and early detection.

Background

As a prostate cancer specialist, Dr. Cheng focuses on improving care for people with prostate cancer by adding genetic and genomic information into clinical decision-making. She is director of the Prostate Cancer Genetics Clinic, one of the first programs in the United States that brings leading-edge genetic discoveries directly to patients. Through this clinic, patients receive genetic counseling and testing, are matched with precision oncology clinical trials and may gain access to strategies for cancer prevention and early detection.

An expert in prostate cancer genetics, Dr. Cheng is studying ways to use genetics to guide the care of prostate cancer patients and their family members who may also be at high risk for the disease. Her research examines the inherited genetic risk for prostate cancer, how those inherited factors relate to tumor-specific mutations and how groups of genes within a tumor behave. Her goal is to use this molecular information as precision biomarkers to help guide treatment choices and clinical trial options, potentially avoiding unhelpful treatments. In some cases, this work also helps identify cancer risks for family members and inform them of how to reduce their risk.

Dr. Cheng also leads clinical trials of new prostate cancer treatments and is developing novel tests, including blood-based tests, to detect disease earlier and monitor its progression. She has served in numerous national roles, including as a member of the Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic and Prostate guidelines panel and the Prostate Cancer Guidelines Panel of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. She is the founding co-chair of the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium Germline Genetics Working Group and a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology education and guidelines committees for genetics and genomics, the American Urological Association, the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute Genitourinary Cancers Steering Committee Task Force. Dr. Cheng serves as chief scientific advisor to the BRCA Research and Cure Alliance.

Area of Clinical Practice
Prostate cancer, prostate cancer genetics

“I consider it a privilege and an important responsibility to work together with you to design the best treatment plan for your life as a whole person, not just as a patient.”

— Dr. Cheng

Have you had a personal experience with cancer, and what did it mean for you?

I didn’t set out to be a prostate cancer specialist, but this disease came very close to home when three members of my immediate family were affected by — and two ultimately died of — prostate cancer during my training. My father-in-law had metastatic prostate cancer for 16 years and maintained a high quality of life for most of that time. My grandfather also had metastatic prostate cancer and lived to the age of 96. There was a point when he had the option to participate in clinical trials, and he made the choice to forgo more treatment. His decision informs how I think about not just my excitement for new clinical trials as a physician and researcher, but also about the value of meeting each patient where they are, understanding their priorities and giving them access to the best treatment that makes sense for them.

What do you think patients appreciate most about the way you care for them?

I strive to offer information, guidance and support with the hope of making the path forward less frightening. Thanks to new scientific developments, clinical trials and treatments, oncology is always evolving, making it possible to instill hope into every day. Your quality of life is a high priority for me. I enjoy the teamwork involved in supporting you and your loved ones through treatment and survivorship.

Diseases Treated

Prostate Cancer

Research Interests

Tumor and inherited genetics of prostate cancer

Novel therapeutics in prostate cancer

Correlative science/translational studies in clinical trials

Clinical and molecular predictors of response to cancer therapies

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Fellowship, Hematology-Oncology, University of Washington

Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Washington

MD, University of Washington School of Medicine

PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Fred Hutch and University of Washington

Undergraduate Degree, Princeton University

Board Certification

Medical Oncology, 2013; Internal Medicine, 2010, American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

Seattle Magazine's 2025 Top Doctors Award
Dr. Cheng has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care for multiple years.

Rising Stars in Healthcare, Becker’s Hospital Review, 2017

Kelsey Dickson-PCF Young Investigator, Prostate Cancer Foundation, 2015

Molecular Markers in Cancer Merit Award, Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO, 2012

Clinical Trials

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians and researchers. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your physician can decide if a study is right for you.

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Cheng

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians and researchers conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by others in their field and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written.

View Dr. Cheng's Publications

Your Care Team

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like registered dietitians, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders. 

Meet Other Providers

Insurance

Fred Hutch accepts most national private health insurance plans as well as Medicare. We also accept Medicaid for people from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. We are working to ensure that everyone, no matter what their financial situation, has access to the care they need.

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Stories

All news
A quarter century of lifesaving discoveries in prostate cancer
A quarter century of lifesaving discoveries in prostate cancer Pacific Northwest Prostate Cancer SPORE insights have transformed patient care and understanding of prostate cancer biology, supported drug discovery worldwide August 12, 2024
BRCA1/2: Why men should be screened for the “breast cancer gene”
BRCA1/2: Why men should be screened for the “breast cancer gene” New research shows that men can carry mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that increase their risk of several cancers, but new national guidelines are helping to educate patients July 25, 2024
For 22 years, Drew Bouton has lived with metastatic prostate cancer
For 22 years, Drew Bouton has lived with metastatic prostate cancer Participating in clinical trials, he has helped define the standard of care January 15, 2024