Scholars@Duke
Laura Jean Havrilesky

Laura Jean Havrilesky

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology
laura.havrilesky@duke.edu
Box 3079 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
25172 Morris Bldg, Durham, NC 27710

Overview

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

In the News

Published July 10, 2025
A Cancer Screening Shift That Could Save Lives

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Recent Publications

Performance of ultrasound and rates of guideline-concordant care in a diverse postmenopausal bleeding cohort.

Journal Article Am J Obstet Gynecol · February 2026 BACKGROUND: Professional society guidelines endorse the use of ultrasound to evaluate an initial episode of postmenopausal bleeding, with endometrial sampling reserved for patients with an endometrial thickness exceeding 4 mm. However, the data supporting ... Full text Link to item Cite

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Versus Primary Cytoreductive Surgery for Metastatic Endometrial Cancer.

Journal Article Cancer Med · January 2026 OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pattern of use and clinical outcomes associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) compared with primary debulking surgery (PDS) in patients with stage IV endometrial cancer. METHODS: We utilized the National Cancer Database to ... Full text Link to item Cite

Cost-effectiveness of biomarker-based and universal strategies for the treatment of advanced-stage endometrial cancer.

Journal Article Gynecol Oncol · December 2025 OBJECTIVE: To compare cost-effectiveness of targeted therapeutic strategies for non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and non-Hispanic White (NHB) patients with newly diagnosed, advanced-stage endometrial cancer. METHODS: A Markov-based cost-utility model using a third ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants

Duke Women's Reproductive Health Research Scholars

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2020 - 2030

TDAN - Tissue and Data Acquisition Network

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Henry M. Jackson Foundation · 2025 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications

Duke University · 1995 M.D.