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.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2014 - Present Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Professor in Population Health Sciences · 2019 - Present Population Health Sciences, Basic Science Departments

Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 1995 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

Recent Publications

Ultrasound-based versus immediate biopsy-based management of postmenopausal bleeding in non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White individuals.

Journal Article Gynecol Oncol · February 21, 2025 BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-based evaluation of endometrial thickness to rule out endometrial cancer in patients with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) is not sufficiently validated in the non-Hispanic Black (NHB) population. Differences in ultrasound performance b ... Full text Link to item Cite

Surgical Deescalation Within Gynecologic Oncology.

Journal Article JAMA Netw Open · January 2, 2025 IMPORTANCE: The goal of surgical deescalation is to minimize tissue damage, enhance patient outcomes, and reduce the adverse effects often associated with extensive or traditional surgical procedures. This shift toward less invasive techniques has the pote ... Full text Link to item Cite

Screening for Bacterial Vaginosis Prior to Delivery: A Cost-Effectiveness Study.

Journal Article Am J Perinatol · January 2025 OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the cost and effectiveness of three strategies for screening and/or treating bacterial vaginosis (BV) during pregnancy prior to delivery: (1) the current standard of care was neither test nor treat for ... Full text Link to item Cite

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Recent Grants

Randomized trial of REVITALIZE: A telehealth intervention to reduce fatigue interference among late-stage ovarian cancer patients on PARP inhibitors

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute · 2024 - 2029

Cryocompression versus cryotherapy to reduce sensory peripheral neuropathy in gynecologic cancer: a noninferiority randomized controlled trial

ResearchMentor · Awarded by Foundation for Women's Cancer · 2025 - 2026

Comparative Modeling for the Prevention and Control of Uterine Cancer

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Columbia University · 2021 - 2025

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Education, Training & Certifications

Duke University · 1995 M.D.