How does contraceptive choice influence ovarian cancer risk?

On this episode of the GOSH Podcast, we discuss BEACON, a five-year CIHR-funded research program examining the biologic and population-level links between contraception and ovarian cancer prevention. We are joined by Dr. David Huntsman, Dr. Gillian Hanley, and Dr. Laura Schummers, stepping in for Aim 3 Lead Dr. Wendy Norman, to explore how this interdisciplinary team is integrating molecular pathology, epidemiology, and health policy to better understand how contraceptive decisions may shape ovarian cancer risk.

Listen now at the link in our bio!

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

In this episode, we’re joined by Tessa Woodside, MSc student at UBC, whose research examines hormone therapy use and breast and endometrial cancer risk using large, real-world health data from BC and Alberta.

Tessa walks us through her research questions, methods, early findings, and why the details of hormone therapy matter when we talk about cancer risk.

🎧 Tune in to hear how population-level data can answer questions clinical trials often can’t.

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

New GOSH episode out now! 🎙️ On this episode, we are joined by Dr. Madeline Rhind, a medical oncology fellow at BC Cancer, to discuss her work on druggable targets and prognostic biomarkers in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. The conversation highlights challenges in rare cancer research and the importance of translating molecular discoveries into clinical care. Tune in now at the link in our bio! #vulvarcancer #gynecancer #bccancer 

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

Unmuted: Equity in Focus is back with an episode spotlighting the future of personalized care in vulvar cancer. 🎙️💙 

Sabrina is joined by Dr. Amy Jamieson, Gynecologic Oncologist at Vancouver General Hospital and BC Cancer, to talk about the STRIVE trial — a newly launched study exploring whether HPV and TP53 status can guide more tailored, less invasive surgical approaches for vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. 

Dr. Jamieson walks us through why vulvar cancer has been historically understudied, the critical difference between HPV-associated and HPV-independent disease, and why moving beyond a “one-size-fits-all” surgical model could transform outcomes and quality of life for patients. She also discusses the importance of integrating patient-reported outcomes, such as sexual health and fear of recurrence, and what it will take to translate molecular stratification into real-world practice. 

Tune in for a clear, accessible conversation about why STRIVE matters — and how this trial could shape the next chapter of vulvar cancer care.  

Resources:

https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.TPS5637  

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

Next Gen in 10 is back! 🎙️ In this episode, Sabrina sits down with Dr. Alex Lukey, a registered nurse and recent PhD graduate whose work is shaping the future of ovarian cancer prevention. Alex walks us through her research on the acceptability and feasibility of risk-reducing salpingectomy (RRS), shares what she learned from interviewing OBGYNs, and reflects on the ethical, clinical, and equity considerations that come with offering RRS to people at moderate risk. She also discusses her prediction model designed to support informed decision-making — and the big questions she’s excited to explore next. Tune in for a clear, thoughtful look at where ovarian cancer prevention is heading.

Resources:

1. Lukey A, Sowamber R, Huntsman D, et al. Evaluating Ovarian Cancer Risk–Reducing Salpingectomy Acceptance: A Survey. Cancer Research Communications. 2025;5(1):187-194. doi:10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-24-0566

2. Lukey A, Howard AF, Mei AJ, et al. Risk-reducing salpingectomy: considerations from an OBGYN perspective. BMC Cancer. 2025;25(1):1011. Doi:10.1186/s12885-025-14384-6

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

🎙️ New on the GOSH Podcast's "Unmuted: Equity in Focus" series!

How can language empower women to take charge of their health? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Lesa Dawson, Dr. Reetinder Kaur Brar, and Jessie Kaur Lehail about their groundbreaking project Bridging Language and Health: Creating Culturally Competent, Gender-Sensitive Health Education for Punjabi Women.

Together, they’re redefining what equitable care means—by creating translation frameworks that honour culture, gender, and community voice. 💬✨

🎧 Tune in to hear how this team is ensuring that language is not a barrier to care, but an invitation.

Resources:

CBCNews: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6911282

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

In this episode of Next Gen in 10🎙️, Sabrina chats with Dollina Dodani, a PhD candidate in Bioinformatics at UBC. Under the supervision of Dr. Aline Talhouk, Dollina is exploring how the vaginal microbiome 🧫 could be used to improve early screening and detection of endometrial cancer. She shares how she’s using machine learning and transfer learning to build a “General Vaginal Microbiome Classifier” — a computational tool that could transform how we diagnose gynecological diseases. From decoding complex data 📊 to uncovering microbial clues 🔍, this episode dives into the intersection of biology, AI, and women’s health.

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

In this first episode of the Unmuted: Equity in Focus 🎙️ series, hosts Carly and Sabrina sit down with Dr. A.J. Lowik, a sociologist, educator, and advocate whose work centers on making health research and care more inclusive. Together, they explore why sex and gender both matter in gynecologic cancer research and treatment, and what it means to create care systems that recognize and meet the needs of trans and non-binary people. 

Dr. Lowik shares insights on the barriers trans patients face in cancer care, the impact of cisnormativity on treatment decisions, and how inclusive approaches can ultimately benefit everyone. They also explain strategies for designing more valid, reliable, and inclusive gynecologic cancer research — from rethinking data collection to ensuring representation in study design. 

From fertility considerations to gender-affirming possibilities within treatment, this conversation highlights why inclusion is essential to equity in gynecologic oncology. 

Join us as we unmute voices and perspectives that are too often overlooked — and imagine what truly inclusive cancer care can look like. 

Resources:

Article that explores trans folks, cancer and euphoria: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10101894/

Canadian research project looking specifically at trans gyne cancer: https://queeringcancer.ca/projects-gyne-cancer-care

Blog post from the Society of Gynecologic Oncology about creating gender-affirming care spaces: https://www.sgo.org/blog/creating-inclusive-affirming-gynecologic-cancer-care-during-pride-month-and-beyond/

Review article that looks at trans peoples gynecologic oncology needs: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13669-024-00386-x 

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

In this special bonus episode of the GOSH Podcast, we feature a Pathology Research Rounds session with Dr. Blake Gilks, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia and Regional Medical Director of Laboratories at Vancouver General Hospital.

Dr. Gilks reflects on a career defined by mentorship, curiosity, and collaboration — one that has shaped the practice and progress of gynecologic pathology in Canada and beyond. He shares insights from decades of clinical and research leadership, including his work refining the classification of ovarian, endometrial, and vulvar carcinomas, and his pivotal role in advancing opportunistic salpingectomy as a prevention strategy for ovarian cancer.

As a mentor, collaborator, and co-founder of OVCARE, BC’s gynecologic cancer research program, Dr. Gilks has inspired generations of pathologists and researchers to approach discovery with both scientific rigor and compassion.

🎧 Join us for a thoughtful conversation on mentorship, discovery, and the lasting impact of a career devoted to advancing women’s cancer research.

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh

Join us on this episode of Next Gen in 10 as Sabrina sits down with Alice Mei, an undergraduate neuroscience student at UBC 🧠. Alice shares her research on contraceptive use patterns in British Columbia and explores how these trends may relate to ovarian cancer risk 🎗️. From surprising shifts in birth control choices to the challenges of working with large population-based data 📊, this episode dives into the science, insights, and real-world implications of her findings. Whether you’re curious about reproductive health, cancer research, or the next generation of scientists, this conversation is full of valuable takeaways! 

For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]

Where to learn more about us:
Twitter – @GCI_Cluster
Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative
Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative
TikTok – @gci_gosh