/content/dam/www/people-profile-photos/s/jennifer-specht/provider-jennifer-specht-directory-1x.jpg
/content/dam/www/people-profile-photos/s/jennifer-specht/provider-jennifer-specht-directory-2x.jpg
Specht
Jennifer M. Specht, MD
Top Doctor icon

Jennifer M. Specht, MD

Medical Oncology

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Member Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutch
  • Clinical Research Director, Breast Oncology, UW Medicine
  • Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
  • Jill D. Bennett Endowed Professorship in Breast Cancer, UW Medicine

About

Dr. Jennifer M. Specht is a board-certified medical oncologist and researcher at Fred Hutch who treats all stages of breast cancer and leads early phase clinical trials of new therapies. 


Background

Dr. Specht specializes in caring for people with breast cancer, including those with triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive type that does not respond to hormonal treatments. She leads the Phase 1 Breast Cancer Program, which tests the safety and effectiveness of new therapies, and works closely with patients to offer access to novel treatment options.

In parallel with patient care, Dr. Specht conducts research focused on breast cancer genetics, immunotherapy and molecular imaging, which uses advanced imaging techniques to better understand cancer biology. She serves as the primary investigator for the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium’s (TBCRC) clinical site at the University of Washington.  TBCRC is a group of academic institutions that conduct collaborative translational research to discover new treatment strategies for breast cancer.

Area of Clinical Practice
Breast cancer


“My job is to make you an expert in this field, sharing as much information as you would like so that you feel confident and equipped to manage your journey.”

— Dr. Specht


What do you enjoy about working with patients who have breast cancer?

I feel privileged to spend time with my patients, many of whom do extraordinarily well because we’ve made a lot of advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. I continue to be inspired by the young women I care for, who have had their life plans completely altered by a diagnosis and yet who manage the upheaval with grace, strength and dignity. One of the most rewarding parts of my job are the relationships I develop with patients and families over time. I see them as heroes who are truly focused on what’s important in life.

What do you want patients to know about working with you?

As our scientific understanding of breast cancer advances, treatment options have become increasingly complex. My job is to make you an expert in this field, sharing as much information as you would like so that you feel confident and equipped to manage your journey. I also support participation in well-designed clinical trials to help answer important questions about breast cancer, which ultimately leads to better health and longer lives for patients.

Diseases Treated

Research Interests

Breast Cancer Genetics

Immunotherapy

Use of molecular imaging to better understand the biology of breast cancer

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Fellowship, Medical Oncology, University of Washington

Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Washington

MD, University of Washington School of Medicine

BA, University of Washington

Board Certifications

Medical Oncology, 2017, 2004, American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

Seattle Magazine's 2025 Top Doctors Award
Dr. Specht 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. Specht

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians and researchers conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by other physicians 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. Specht'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. 

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.

Stories

All news
SABCS25: What’s new in breast cancer research? Advances include a new endocrine therapy, the use of ctDNA to predict response and modifying PET/CTs to better track bone metastases December 17, 2025
What’s new in breast cancer research? SABCS24 looks at ctDNA, AI and ‘right-sizing’ treatment Large research symposium highlights liquid biopsies, new drug combos, shifts in surgical practice and, yes, patient voices December 20, 2024
Risky business: Understanding how numbers, percentages and data impact cancer care Statistics can simultaneously enlighten and confuse patients November 21, 2023