"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Krystle L. Collins, MD

Provider

Krystle L. Collins, MD

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

Specialty:

Surgery

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“I always tell patients that in five years, I don’t want you to remember who I was. I just want you to continue forward, with this experience just being a chapter in your book.”

— Dr. Collins

What brought you to oncology?

One of the many reasons I was drawn to breast surgical oncology is that a lot of times with breast cancer, we can't find that one cause for why this develops in someone, but at the same time it's quite treatable in most cases. It’s a privilege to be able to walk someone through the process, laying out the different steps of what’s to come.

For patients who might have a lot more to their story, bringing them through the experience and having a longitudinal relationship with them isn't something that comes with every surgical field. I also appreciate working with a multidisciplinary team at Fred Hutch.

What do you hope it’s like for a patient to work with you?

I hope that I am always warm and inviting and that I am truly giving patients all the options available to them and helping them make the decision that’s aligned with themselves and their families. I want patients to feel like I'm in their corner and supporting them, and that the care I provide is up-to-date, competent, knowledgeable and technically sound.

My thought when I see a patient is “you're the boss.” I'm here to do what makes the most sense and aligns with your life. They are at the center and we providers are all in a circle around them. Patients are the focus and I get to be an advocate.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Benign breast disease, breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, lobular carcinoma in situ, high risk lesions

I am a board-certified surgeon who sees patients at the Sloan Clinic, Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center - Montlake, Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center - Northwest and the Breast Surgery Clinic at Meridian Pavilion.

Diseases Treated

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of California, Los Angeles

Medical Degree
Columbia University Medical School

Residency
Oregon Health and Science University, General Surgery

Fellowship
Breast Surgical Oncology, University of Pennsylvania; Immuno-Oncology, Providence Cancer Institute

Board Certifications
General Surgery, 2025, American Board of Surgery

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. Collins' 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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