Laura Jean Havrilesky

I am interested in using health economic models to inform decisions related to gynecologic cancers. Specific models have addressed the decision to administer intraperitoneal chemotherapy for newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer following optimal cytoreduction, the choice of chemotherapy regimen for recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, and the exploration of screening strategies for ovarian cancer. The ovarian cancer screening model examines the effects of test cost, sensitivity, specificity, and screen frequency on ovarian cancer mortality, the lifetime false positive rate of testing, the positive predictive value of the test, and its cost effectiveness. This type of model is potentially useful in informing the design trials of novel screening tests for ovarian cancer. I am also conducting a prospective study to quantify the effects of screening for, diagnosis of, and treatment for ovarian cancer on the quality of life of women.