Meghan R. Flanagan, MD, MPH - Fred Hutch

"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Where breakthroughs begin, care goes beyond."

Provider

Meghan R. Flanagan, MD, MPH

Medical Director, Breast Surgery Clinic, Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center – Northwest
Assistant Professor, Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Surgery

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Dr. Meghan Flanagan is a board-certified surgical oncologist who cares for patients with breast cancer and benign breast disease at Sloan Clinic, Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center - Northwest and the Breast Surgery Clinic at Meridian Pavilion. She is medical director of the Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center – Northwest Breast Surgery Clinic.

Provider Background

Dr. Flanagan cares for patients with both benign and malignant breast disease, including breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, high-risk breast lesions, pathogenic mutations and phyllodes tumors. She has a particular interest in helping patients navigate complex treatment decisions and in expanding access to high-quality breast cancer care across both academic and community settings.

Dr. Flanagan’s research focuses on improving outcomes and quality of life for people with breast cancer. She has led and collaborated on studies involving lymph node evaluation, surgical decision-making, patient-reported outcomes, genetic and genomic testing, chemoprevention and access to care.

Her current work includes studying the biology of breast cancer locoregional recurrence and using genomic and spatial profiling techniques to better understand why some breast cancers recur and how treatment can be tailored more precisely. She is also interested in improving access to evidence-based breast cancer care for patients in community and regional settings.

Dr. Flanagan is a fellow with the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis panel.

Area of Clinical Practice
Breast cancer, breast health, benign breast disease

“It is incredibly meaningful to sit with someone facing a new diagnosis of breast cancer and help them understand what lies ahead.”

— Dr. Flanagan

What do you enjoy about being a breast surgeon?

I love that breast surgery allows me to care for patients through some of the most difficult moments in their lives while also building relationships that continue over time.

Breast surgery also lets me combine hands-on patient care with my passion for research and innovation. Breast oncology is a rapidly evolving field, with new surgical approaches, systemic therapies and technologies emerging every year. I enjoy continuously learning and bringing the most current evidence to patients so they can make informed decisions and receive the best possible care.

How do you like to work with patients?

A diagnosis of breast cancer changes every person’s life differently. Each patient comes to treatment with their own values, priorities and goals. I believe the best care begins with listening.

I work closely with patients to understand what matters most to them and then combine those priorities with the latest research and best clinical practices to develop an individualized treatment plan. Whether a patient is deciding between different surgical approaches, navigating reconstruction or managing a benign breast condition, my goal is to make sure they feel informed, supported and confident in their choices.

Breast cancer care is also fundamentally multidisciplinary. I work closely with colleagues in medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, genetics, plastic surgery and supportive care so each patient benefits from the expertise of an entire team.

Diseases Treated

Benign Breast Disease

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)

Pathogenic Mutation Carriers

High-risk Breast Lesions

Phyllodes Tumors

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of California, Berkeley

Medical Degree
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Residency
University of Washington, General Surgery

Fellowship
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Breast Surgical Oncology

Board Certification
General Surgery, 2017, American Board of Surgery

Other
MPH, University of Washington School of Public Health; Hidden Scar Breast Surgery Certificate of Training

Awards

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

UW Medicine Cares Award, 2023

Athena Endowed Award for Excellence in Breast Cancer Research, 2019
Fred Hutch

Early Investigator Catalyst Award, 2019
Institute for Translational and Clinical Studies

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.

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Flanagan

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. Flanagan's Publications

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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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