Janie M. Lee, MD, MSc

What sparked your interest in radiology?

As a radiologist, I tackle difficult clinical questions using technology that allows me to literally see inside the body — that’s pretty amazing! What drew me to breast imaging in particular was working with patients during entire episodes of care. Breast imaging radiologists not only read mammograms but also discuss results, do biopsies and help develop treatment plans as part of a care team. Also, I started my medical career at a time when including women of all race and ethnicity groups in clinical trials was being recognized as critical to understanding how treatments affect everyone, which motivated me to focus on women’s health. My passion for helping patients live longer, healthier lives drives everything I do, from providing care to conducting research to educating the next generation of radiologists.

How do you like to work with patients?

I see patients from all walks of life who are facing a variety of medical situations. Whether you are receiving a breast cancer screening, feeling concerned about a breast lump, going through active treatment or seeking a post-treatment checkup, it’s important to me that you feel heard and well taken care of from the moment you walk in the door. My approach to care is grounded in evidence and focused on individual values and preferences. Patients are never just patients — they are also parents, spouses, siblings, friends, neighbors and community members, and I believe that your experience of receiving care should honor those intersecting identities.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice

Breast imaging

Breast Cancer
I am a board-certified radiologist who specializes in breast imaging. My expertise includes using state-of-the-art technology, such as 3-D mammography, ultrasound and MRI, to diagnose and manage breast cancer. I also serve as the director of breast imaging at Fred Hutch, where I guide our team in delivering patient-centered, research-driven care. My professional affiliations include the American Board of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging.

As a researcher, I focus on improving the way we diagnose early breast cancer and monitor for disease recurrence. My research studies integrate technology, cancer biology and individual patient risk factors to inform personalized cancer screening and surveillance strategies. This approach can maximize our ability to detect breast cancer for each patient while minimizing their exposure to false positives (test results that cause concern but don’t turn out to be cancer).