Title: Digital health to guide the transition to menopause: Recognizing normal and abnormal changes during reproductive aging  

PI: Aline Talhouk  

Team Members: Jerilynn Prior (UBC); Lauren Tindale (UBC); Malak Ibrahim (UBC); Lori Brotto (UBC); Gurm Dhugga (UBC); Shirley Weir (Community Partner); Ali Zentner (Revolution Medical Clinic); Elise Abi Khalil (UBC); Shanzhao Wang (OVCARE, BC Cancer Agency); Sabrina Wong (UBC); Candice Taguibao (Women’s Health Research Institute); Nicole Prestley (Women’s Health Research Institute) 

Project Description: During the years leading up to menopause, women often experience menstrual cycle and flow changes. This is usually part of normal aging, but can also be the first symptom of endometrial cancer, the most common gynecological cancer in Canada. Few women are aware of the risk factors for endometrial cancer, can recognize abnormal bleeding, and/or seek medical help. Predicting cancer risk and determining which abnormal bleeding is associated with endometrial cancer is a top priority for clinicians and women alike, because if detected early, this cancer is curable and has exceptional outcomes. Digital health technology (e.g. mobile phones apps) and analytics can help women track and monitor risk factors and symptoms and be alerted when suspicious patterns arise. In this project, we will collaborate with women in the community, patients, clinicians, and women’s health researchers to co-design digital health tools that can help women learn about and assess their risk factors for endometrial cancer, discern symptoms of cancer from those of normal aging, and provide opportunities for education, prevention, and early detection, especially among women at high-risk for cancer. 

Title: Reimagining gynecologic cancer survivorship: Creating a provincial strategy for survivorship research and care in British Columbia  

PI: Lesa Dawson 

Team Members: Siv Klausen (UBC); Nancy Cleveland (Gynecologic Cancer Initiative); Nicole Keay (Gynecologic Cancer Initiative); Stephanie Lam (UBC); Jocelle Refol (Simon Fraser University); Gavin Stuart (UBC); Michelle Woo (UBC); Nicole Prestley (Women’s Health Research Institute); Lori Brotto (Women’s Health Research Institute); Janice Kwon (UBC) 

Project Description: In Canada, two-thirds of people diagnosed with cancer today will be long-term cancer survivors. With advances in early detection and improved treatment, and an ageing population, this number is expected to continue to rise highlighting the urgency for improved strategies to enhance the well-being of individuals, and their families, living with and beyond cancer. In partnership with patients and families, and the clinical and scientific community in BC, we plan to hold a series of stakeholder events and surveys that will address the impact of a gynecologic cancer diagnosis and treatment on the mental health, cognition, financial burden, and sexual health of those affected. We will also examine the impact of hereditary cancers and patient education/navigation to improve upon a patient’s journey through their cancer diagnosis and treatment. Through this work, we will map out the clinical and research resources available across the province to support a long-term research strategy and plan. By putting patient and family voices and experiences at the centre of the strategy, it will enable our research team to develop a provincial strategy that is biologically-relevant and socio-culturally informed. 

Title: Beyond the Binary in BC: Taking a patient-oriented and trauma-informed approach to building partnerships and dialogue to incorporate gender equity into women’s health research 

PI: Angela Kaida 

Team members: Beverley Pomeroy (Fraser Health); Laurel Evans (UBC); Caroline Sanders (University of Northern British Columbia); Ann Pederson (BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre); Michelle Chan (UBC); Tamara Baldwin (UBC); Lindsay Carpenter (University of Northern British Columbia); Faith Jabs (UBC); Skye Barbic (UBC); Julia Santana Parrila (Women’s Health Research Institute); Nicole Prestley-Stuart (Women’s Health Research Institute); Lorraine Greaves (Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health); Lori Brotto (UBC); Wendy Robinson (BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute); Melissa Nelson (Women’s Health Research Institute); AJ Murray (BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre) 

Project Description: Dedicated women’s health research is a relatively recent milestone. Available guidance for including trans and intersex people in this work has not acknowledged the social, historical and political contexts that led to naming cisgender women (women whose gender aligns with their sex assigned at birth) in research, and tends to be focused either on clinical work (e.g. how to refer to patients and their anatomy) or on data collection (e.g. how to ask about sex and gender). “Beyond the Binary” will include a survey to assess current gender-equity initiatives in BC, two educational workshops, and two knowledge exchange events to inform guidance for gender-equitable practice within BC’s women’s health research community. To co-create safe, trauma-informed, and patient-oriented guidance, trans and intersex people will be invited to participate in these activities and to participate on a Community Steering Committee. Through collaboration with people from trans, intersex, research, health, ethics, and academic communities, we aim to develop context-specific guidance, resources, and recommendations for researchers and health decision-makers to bridge this knowledge gap.