Holly R. Harris, MPH, ScD

Rivkin Center/CARE Fund

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Identification Of Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors Among Women With Endometriosis

Project Summary
Although we know endometriosis increases ovarian cancer risk, we do not know how to identify which individuals with endometriosis will develop ovarian cancer. Dr. Harris will run the first large-scale analysis of women with endometriosis to identify the characteristics that may be most important for ovarian cancer development. She will combine data from 10 studies that followed patients with endometriosis for up to 35 years. This work will identify a subset of high-risk individuals based on risk factors (such as medication use, prior surgeries, personal factors, health factors) who may substantially benefit from closer monitoring or more aggressive endometriosis treatment to prevent the progression to ovarian cancer.

Bio
Dr. Holly R. Harris is an associate professor in the Epidemiology Program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Her research focuses on ovarian and breast cancer as well as endometriosis and uterine fibroids — including understanding the role of the potentially modifiable risk factors of diet and lifestyle on risk of these conditions, the intersection of these conditions, and understanding racial and ethnic disparities in the incidence and outcomes. She is also focused on identifying people with the highest risk of ovarian cancer to allow for targeted prevention and screening strategies.