"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Claire L. Buchanan, MD, FACS

Provider

Claire L. Buchanan, MD, FACS

Physician, Fred Hutch
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Surgery

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“We get better outcomes when we work as part of a team and respect the skill and expertise of each specialty.”

— Dr. Buchanan

What is your approach to care and treatment?

Cancer is a frightening diagnosis to anyone, but for many breast cancer patients, it can come as quite a shock. My patients are usually healthy women and often do not feel “sick.” For many in this situation, the prospect of cancer treatments is overwhelming and is quite a disconnect from how they actually feel. My goal is to educate them about their options and meet them where they are.

Why should a patient trust Fred Hutch for breast cancer care?

This specialty has always been collaborative and multidisciplinary. Patients can expect that we work in a coordinated fashion to craft a personalized treatment plan. For each patient, I do my best to assess the situation from both a clinical or medical perspective and from a patient’s perspective. I want to include the patient's views and understanding as much as possible and for them to share guidance when needed.

I also like to make connections. I always like to play DJ for patients in the OR; patients can choose an artist or song and have some control at a time where they often have little. I remember asking an elderly patient what she would like to go to sleep to, and she said, "I want reggae! I wanna be the cool old lady!" It was a delight for all of us in the room that day.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Breast cancer, breast health

I am a board-certified surgeon who sees patients at the South Lake Union Clinic, UW Medical Center - Northwest and the Breast Surgery Clinic at Meridian Pavilion.

I like the educational aspect of my chosen surgical subspecialty and enjoy educating patients about their disease process, surgical options and sequence of care. I have always appreciated the collaborative nature of treatment of this disease and constantly learning and improving.

Diseases Treated

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Medical Degree
University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences, The Pritzker School of Medicine

Fellowship
Univ. of Southern California, Research Fellowship
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Surgical Oncology, Surgery

Residency
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Surgery

Board Certification
General Surgery, 2005, American Board of Surgery

Awards

Seattle Met's 2023 Top Doctors award
Dr. Buchanan has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care for multiple years.

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians. 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.

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Many of our Fred Hutch physicians 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. Buchanan'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.

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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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