Lauren Facchini, MS, CGC

I started working at Fred Hutch in 2018 and primarily see patients at the South Lake Union Clinic. I work with patients who have a personal or a family history of cancer. I see all cancer types but have a special interest in genitourinary malignancies. I see patients in the Kidney Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic as well as in the Fred Hutch Genetic Counseling Clinic. 

Genetic counseling perfectly combines my interests in science and medicine with teaching and counseling. I was drawn to the fact that it is a highly specialized career in an ever-evolving field. I knew I would never get bored with my job, and that was something I was really looking for!

Working with patients and their families is very fulfilling. Not only can genetic testing help us find an explanation for the cancer, but we can also better understand future risks, expand treatment options and initiate prevention strategies for patients and their family members. While there can be many benefits to genetic testing, it’s important to recognize that it’s also a personal decision that sometimes doesn’t align with our patient’s care or goals. By agreeing to move forward with genetic counseling, you’re not necessarily agreeing to move forward with testing; counseling is the first step in assessing your risks and determining if testing is right for you.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, exploring new bakeries and farmer’s markets, reading, painting, drawing and cooking/baking.