Medical oncologist Dr. Heather Parsons, MD, MPH, has a personal connection to cancer, having witnessed its impact on her family when her younger sister was diagnosed with lymphoma as a young adult, and later with melanoma in childhood.
Parsons recalls her sister's diagnosis and treatment as a challenging time for her family, but now her sister is thriving. This experience led Parsons to specialize in oncology, specifically breast cancer treatment and research.
Depending on the progression of the illness and how the patient responds to treatment, they often work with the same oncology team for months or even years.
Parsons joined Fred Hutch Cancer Center as program head of the Breast Oncology Program, driven by her desire to improve the experience for patients and their families.
Author summary: Dr. Parsons leads breast cancer initiatives at Fred Hutch.