Christoph I. Lee, MD, MS, MBA

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Lee
Christoph I. Lee, MD, MS, MBA

Christoph I. Lee, MD, MS, MBA

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Radiology

 Print

“I chose to work with patients who have cancer so that I could be their advocate during one of the most trying and vulnerable periods in their lives.”

— Dr. Lee

What makes practicing radiology meaningful for you?

Imaging is central to breast cancer screening, and the technology is constantly evolving. For example, in the last 15 years we’ve gone from using screen film mammography to digital and now 3-D mammography — and there are even more changes coming down the pipeline that can lead to improved screening and early detection of breast cancer. It’s exciting to be part of a field that’s progressing so quickly. What I also enjoy about this specialty is that I can use medical imaging to advocate for individual patients as well as large groups of people. One of my research programs amasses breast imaging data and outcomes from diverse populations so that we can provide better evidence to policymakers who set cancer screening guidelines.

What personal experiences have informed your approach to care?

I brought my father-in-law all the way from Montana to get treated at Fred Hutch, and I’m grateful for the way his physicians cared for him. When you’re on the side of being the health advocate for your family member, you realize just how vulnerable people can feel during the diagnostic stage, when they’re waiting to find out whether they have cancer, how aggressive it is and how much disease is present. Having a caring, empathetic physician who understands the latest science and treatments but also takes the time to thoroughly answer questions is critical. I take pride in being a patient listener, fielding any concerns that come up and providing patients and families with concrete data they can use to make decisions.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Breast imaging

I am a board-certified radiologist who specializes in using medical imaging to screen for, detect and manage breast cancer. My research is focused on emerging breast cancer screening technologies, health policy and population health outcomes. I have authored or co-authored more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters about a variety of topics within radiology. 

I also serve as the director of the Northwest Screening and Cancer Outcomes Research Enterprise (NW-SCORE), a partnership between UW Medicine and community radiology and pathology practices. The goal of NW-SCORE is to compile breast imaging data into a resource that can influence breast cancer screening practices and policies.

Diseases Treated

Breast Cancer 

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Medical Degree
Yale School of Medicine

Residency
Stanford University Medical Center, Diagnostic Radiology

Fellowship
Iris Cantor-UCLA Women's Health Center, Breast Imaging

Board Certification
Diagnostic Radiology, 2010, American Board of Radiology

Other
Masters, UCLA

Stories

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$5.25M from the Kuni Foundation propels innovative adult oncology research Grants will support research on tumor regression, immunotherapy access and better care for breast, liver and peritoneal malignancies June 28, 2024
What's new in breast cancer research?
What's new in breast cancer research? Collaborations, combined therapies and machine learning offer promising strategies for boosting early detection, potential cures October 28, 2016
More is not always better
More is not always better New U.S. Preventive Services Task Force breast cancer screening guidelines seek to balance risk, benefit January 11, 2016

Clinical Trials

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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Publications

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. Lee's Publications

Your Care Team

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