"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Steven M. Blinka, MD, PhD

Provider

Steven M. Blinka, MD, PhD

Physician, Fred Hutch
Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Medical Oncology

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“Our scientific understanding of prostate and bladder cancer care is advancing rapidly, and navigating treatment options can be complex. My goal is to partner with you, and your family and friends who support you, to understand your diagnosis and treatment options.”

— Dr. Blinka

What brought you to oncology?

I have a longstanding interest in understanding the molecular basis of stem cell biology and disease. As my fellowship training progressed, I increasingly found myself passionate about strengthening the links between clinical care and lab research to improve the prognosis of patients. I decided I want to build on my strong foundation in molecular biology and devote my career to meld clinical care and biology. I’m excited to search for the next generation of cancer treatments for prostate and bladder cancer with greater cancer specificity and fewer side effects.

How do you combine being a physician and a scientist?

One of the best parts of being a cancer care provider is the opportunity to participate in the scientific research ecosystem that is changing cancer care, every day. We have partnerships across our institution, and with collaborators around the world, to advance prostate and bladder cancer research. From a technology perspective, we now have very powerful tools and analytical techniques that enable deep inquiry and discovery, accelerating innovation. These tools help us answer the most important questions about cancer: Why do some people get certain types of cancer? Which treatment is best suited for which patient? How do we develop new treatments that are more effective? What are the best monitoring methods to assess response and safety? Entering each patient appointment with this mindset – and the most up-to-date answer for each of these questions in prostate and bladder cancer – is an incredibly valuable and unique part of providing care.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Bladder oncology, prostate oncology

I am a medical oncologist who sees patients at the Sloan Clinic and at Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center – Montlake.

My area of scientific research focuses on understanding the genetic drivers of disease, response and treatment resistance in prostate and bladder cancer. I aim to combine the best in clinical care with the latest research to give patients treatment options specific to the characteristics of their cancer type.

Diseases Treated

Prostate Cancer

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Medical Degree
Medical College of Wisconsin

Residency
University of Washington School of Medicine, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
University of Washington School of Medicine/Fred Hutch, Hematology-Oncology

Board Certification
Internal Medicine, 2025, American Board of Internal Medicine

Other
PhD, Stem Cell Biology and Development, Medical College of Wisconsin

Awards

Young Investigator Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2024
This award provides funding to promising investigators to encourage and promote quality research in clinical oncology.

Stories

All news

Fred Hutch and UW hematology-oncology fellows win ASCO Young Investigator Awards

Fred Hutch and UW hematology-oncology fellows win ASCO Young Investigator Awards Winners represent broad range of research June 5, 2024

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. Blinka'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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