Dr. Lucy Gilbert

Turning up the Volume on a Silent Killer

Montreal Researcher Tackles Ovarian Cancer Statistics with Early Detection

To commemorate National Ovarian Cancer Month CHR is pleased to profile Health Centre Gynecologic Oncologist, Dr. Lucy Gilbert.

Ovarian Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in Canadian women. Considered a 'Silent Killer', its symptoms are usually only identified at a later and more advanced stage of the cancer. Approximately 90 percent of ovarian cancer patients could be saved if the disease was discovered earlier. This is where Dr. Lucy Gilbert and the Detecting Ovarian cancer Early (DOVE) team are targeting their efforts.

DOVE is a clinical research study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research at improving the early detection rate of ovarian cancer. Dr. Gilbert is leading DOVE with a team of experts which includes physicians, scientists, engineers to run a large-scale trial to determine what the early signs or risk factors for the disease are. With this information, they plan to develop a diagnostic probability tool that will make it easier to recognize the illness before it has a chance to progress. This probability tool will then be made broadly available on Internet where it will help women identify telltale symptoms. Physicians will also have access; the tool will help determine which symptoms warrant further examination. DOVE will be the first early-diagnosis aid for ovarian cancer worldwide - it has the potential to dramatically change ovarian cancer statistics.

Dr Gilbert is a dedicated clinician and researcher who has focused her work on gynaecological cancers. Her projects include testing the efficacy and safety of the HPV vaccine; designing and implementing an electronic medical record system for gynaecological oncology; and determining the value of using Volociximab Monotherapy in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal cancer. Dr Gilbert is also an accomplished teacher, planning curriculums and lectures on oncology and menopause for undergraduate students. She also has shared her expertise by serving on a number of educational committees including the Specialty subcommittee – Association of Professors of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Canada; the Inter disciplinary Oncology Education Committee, Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal;’ and the Residents Education Committee, Department of Ob/Gyn, McGill University.

For further information, please contact Dr. Lucy Gilbert using the Email contact form or by phone at 514 934-1934 ext 32833