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Linden
Hannah M. Linden, MD, FACP
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Hannah M. Linden, MD, FACP

Medical Oncology

  • Clinical Director, Breast Cancer Program, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Affiliate Investigator, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
  • Associate Program Director, University of Washington/Fred Hutch Hematology-Oncology Fellowship
  • Athena Distinguished Professorship of Breast Cancer Research, UW Medicine
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About

Dr. Hannah M. Linden is a board-certified medical oncologist and researcher who treats people with all stages of breast cancer at Fred Hutch. She specializes in endocrine therapy and leads research on new breast cancer treatments, imaging and access to care.

Background

Dr. Linden’s clinical practice spans Fred Hutch, where she is clinical director of the Breast Cancer Program, and Harborview Medical Center, where she helps patients with breast cancer access clinical trials across both organizations. One of her areas of expertise is endocrine therapy, which uses hormone-based approaches to slow or stop tumor growth, including treatments that target estrogen receptors.

Dr. Linden studies developing new breast cancer therapies and advancing molecular imaging techniques. She has been involved in national clinical trials using radiolabeled tracers and PET imaging to predict how patients with metastatic breast cancer will respond to estrogen‑blocking or estrogen‑depleting therapy, with the goal of better informing treatment decisions. Another important focus of her work is improving access to high‑quality cancer care for medically underserved and vulnerable populations.

In addition to patient care and research, Dr. Linden is active in education. She is associate program director of the Medical Oncology and Hematology Fellowship Program at Fred Hutch and UW Medicine, where she helps train the next generation of oncologists.

Area of Clinical Practice
Breast cancer

“There are a lot of breast cancer therapies that work well — and they keep getting better. There’s a high chance for a cure, and even if we can’t cure you, we can often treat you. That’s why breast cancer care is a very uplifting field.”

— Dr. Linden

What makes breast cancer care meaningful for you?

I did a fellowship at the University of Washington, where I spent a lot of time in the lab cloning and folding proteins. It was interesting and I liked the idea of moving the science forward, but my work didn’t directly impact patients. I like taking care of people, so I realized that spending my days with DNA and petri dishes wasn’t going to be satisfying in the long run. Eventually, I was able to move from the lab into more of a translational research role with breast cancer, where I could bring the latest findings and studies to patients while incorporating their needs and perspectives into research. I bridge the gap between basic science and clinical practice, and that’s much more fun for me. What I also enjoy about my specialty is that there are a lot of breast cancer therapies that work well — and they keep getting better. There’s a high chance for a cure, and even if we can’t cure you, we can often treat you. That’s why breast cancer care is a very uplifting field.

How do you like to work with patients?

My job is to scratch my head and think about how I can do the best for you as an individual, taking into account your goals and concerns and what the research  says. My relationships with patients are longitudinal; I don’t just stamp you with a treatment pathway and send you through the Fred Hutch system. We maintain an ongoing dialogue about your care so that we can modify the plan if a bothersome side effect shows up or if treatment is interfering with some aspect of your life. Above all, I see myself as an advocate to help you access the cancer therapies, clinical trials and supportive care that you need.

Diseases Treated

Breast Cancer

Research Interests

Understanding resistance and sensitivity to endocrine therapy of breast cancer, and identification of methods to overcome resistance

Pharmacodynamic imaging

Improving access to clinical trials

Improving outcomes for vulnerable populations

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Senior Research Fellow, Hematology, University of Washington

Fellowship, Hematology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Fellowship, Pharmacology, University of Arizona Medical Center

Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Arizona Medical Center

MD, University of Massachusetts

BA, cum laude, Yale University

Board Certification

Medical Oncology, 2019, 1997, American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

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

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

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. Linden

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. Linden'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 dieticians, 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.

More About Insurance

Stories

All news
Breast Cancer Research Foundation to fund seven Cancer Consortium researchers
Breast Cancer Research Foundation to fund seven Cancer Consortium researchers BCRF awards $2.6M in grants to Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium researchers December 10, 2025
Patient stories, provider advice mark invasive lobular breast cancer awareness event
Patient stories, provider advice mark invasive lobular breast cancer awareness event Fred Hutch experts discuss ILC’s hormonal risk factors, screening recommendations and new research October 27, 2025
Every mile counts: Thousands unite for Fred Hutch Obliteride
Every mile counts: Thousands unite for Fred Hutch Obliteride More than 5,000 cyclists, walkers, runners and volunteers brought color, energy and connection to Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s annual bike ride and walk/run August 19, 2025

Contact Information

206.606.1301

206.606.2023