GOSH Podcast

In recognition of Endometrial Cancer Awareness Month, this episode features Jennifer Graham, a three-time cancer patient and patient advocate with the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN). Jennifer shares her experiences navigating breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer, reflecting on the emotional realities of diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and living with uncertainty.  Together...

In this episode of the GOSH Podcast’s Next Gen in 10 series, we are joined by Alison Luo, a Master’s student at the University of British Columbia supervised by Dr. Paul Yong. Alison discusses her research on pain sensitivity and central sensitization in endometriosis using clinical mechanical testing, as well as her work validating a prediction model for pain-related quality of life outcomes afte...

In recognition of Cancer Research Month 💜🎗️ , we sit down with Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden to reflect on the origins and evolution of the Canadian Conference on Ovarian Cancer Research (CCOCR). What began as a small, ambitious idea in 2001 has grown into a national, multidisciplinary forum bringing together basic scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and psychosocial researchers from across Canada...

🎙️ Next Gen in 10 is back ! This episode features Arabella Helgason, a UBC Master’s student supervised by Dr. Aline Talhouk, whose research examines how endometrial cancer surveillance currently works for Lynch syndrome carriers — and how it might be improved . Using population data, Arabella is exploring surveillance patterns and investigating new approaches, including the potential role of self-...

New episode alert! 🎙️ How can we move beyond BMI to better understand endometrial cancer risk? In this episode, Dr. Aline Talhouk and Dr. Andrea Neilson discuss the RESTORE study and the use of the Progesterone Challenge Test (PCT) as a functional way to assess hormonal activity in the endometrium — and identify who may truly be at higher biological risk. We talk through the study design, as well...

Can we better predict who will benefit from endometriosis surgery? In this episode, Sabrina speaks with Dr. Dwayne Tucker about developing the Endometriosis Pain Index — a machine learning–based tool designed to help guide surgical decision-making and set realistic expectations for pain outcomes. From predictive modelling to patient-centred care, this conversation explores how data can transform h...

In this episode, Sabrina sits down with Dr. Jennifer Ritonja, a scientist in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the BC Cancer and epidemiologist specializing in modifiable risk factors for women’s cancers. Together, they explore what life-course research tells us about physical activity, body fatness, vitamin D, and the realistic potential of lifestyle-based prevention for ovarian can...

How does contraceptive choice influence ovarian cancer risk? On this episode of the GOSH Podcast, we discuss BEACON , a five-year CIHR-funded research program examining the biologic and population-level links between contraception and ovarian cancer prevention. We are joined by Dr. David Huntsman , Dr. Gillian Hanley , and Dr. Laura Schummers , stepping in for Aim 3 Lead Dr. Wendy Norman , to expl...

In this episode, we’re joined by Tessa Woodside, MSc student at UBC, whose research examines hormone therapy use and breast and endometrial cancer risk using large, real-world health data from BC and Alberta. Tessa walks us through her research questions, methods, early findings, and why the details of hormone therapy matter when we talk about cancer risk. 🎧 Tune in to hear how population-level d...

New GOSH episode out now! 🎙️ On this episode, we are joined by Dr. Madeline Rhind, a medical oncology fellow at BC Cancer, to discuss her work on druggable targets and prognostic biomarkers in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. The conversation highlights challenges in rare cancer research and the importance of translating molecular discoveries into clinical care. Tune in now at the link in our bio!...

Unmuted: Equity in Focus is back with an episode spotlighting the future of personalized care in vulvar cancer. 🎙️💙  Sabrina is joined by Dr. Amy Jamieson, Gynecologic Oncologist at Vancouver General Hospital and BC Cancer, to talk about the STRIVE trial — a newly launched study exploring whether HPV and TP53 status can guide more tailored, less invasive surgical approaches for vulvar squamous ce...

Next Gen in 10 is back! 🎙️ In this episode, Sabrina sits down with Dr. Alex Lukey, a registered nurse and recent PhD graduate whose work is shaping the future of ovarian cancer prevention. Alex walks us through her research on the acceptability and feasibility of risk-reducing salpingectomy (RRS), shares what she learned from interviewing OBGYNs, and reflects on the ethical, clinical, and equity c...

🎙️ New on the GOSH Podcast's "Unmuted: Equity in Focus" series! How can language empower women to take charge of their health? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Lesa Dawson , Dr. Reetinder Kaur Brar , and Jessie Kaur Lehail about their groundbreaking project Bridging Language and Health: Creating Culturally Competent, Gender-Sensitive Health Education for Punjabi Women. Together, t...

In this episode of Next Gen in 10 🎙️, Sabrina chats with Dollina Dodani, a PhD candidate in Bioinformatics at UBC. Under the supervision of Dr. Aline Talhouk, Dollina is exploring how the vaginal microbiome 🧫 could be used to improve early screening and detection of endometrial cancer . She shares how she’s using machine learning and transfer learning to build a “General Vaginal Microbiome Classi...

In this first episode of the Unmuted: Equity in Focus 🎙️ series, hosts Carly and Sabrina sit down with Dr. A.J. Lowik, a sociologist, educator, and advocate whose work centers on making health research and care more inclusive. Together, they explore why sex and gender both matter in gynecologic cancer research and treatment, and what it means to create care systems that recognize and meet the need...

Join us on this episode of Next Gen in 10 as Sabrina sits down with Alice Mei, an undergraduate neuroscience student at UBC 🧠. Alice shares her research on contraceptive use patterns in British Columbia and explores how these trends may relate to ovarian cancer risk 🎗️. From surprising shifts in birth control choices to the challenges of working with large population-based data 📊, this episode d...

🎙️ In this episode of the GOSH podcast, co-hosts Carly and Sabrina sit down with Karen Bemister , a passionate advocate and patient partner in research from Ontario, Canada.  Karen shares her journey as a patient partner—someone with lived experience who collaborates with researchers not as a participant, but as an equal team member. Together, we explore the value of patient-oriented research, whe...

🎙️ New on the GOSH Podcast! ✨ In our very first Next Gen in 10 episode, we’re spotlighting Sabrina, an MSc candidate at in the WACH UBC program. Her research focuses on preventive care for BRCA mutation carriers —a group at higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Under the mentorship of Dr. Gillian Hanley, Sabrina is exploring preventative interventions that can help reduce cancer risk and imp...

We’re back—and it’s Season 6 of the GOSH Podcast! 🌟🎙 In this episode, our new co-host Sabrina sits down with her mom, Sharon Grover, a BRCA2 carrier and gynecologic cancer previvor . Sharon opens up about what it means to live with an inherited cancer risk, the preventative steps she’s taken, and how she balances motherhood, teaching, and her love of sports and the outdoors. This heartfelt conver...

In this powerful episode of the GOSH Podcast🌟🎙, host Carly sits down with Samantha—recurrent cervical cancer survivor, double ostomate, and fierce advocate for women’s health. From navigating life after multiple surgeries to building a platform that empowers others through storytelling, Samantha shares her unfiltered journey with honesty, humor, and heart. Tune in to hear how she’s turning surviv...

In this episode of the GOSH Podcast, host Carly returns to speak with Ashley Greer, a resilient cervical cancer survivor and passionate advocate. Diagnosed in late 2023, Ashley shares her powerful story of navigating treatment—including chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries—and how she found strength and purpose through it all. Now cancer-free, Ashley is on a mission to raise awareness a...

In this episode of the GOSH Podcast, we continue our rare cancer series with Carly Allen, a passionate advocate and survivor. 🌟🎙 After a  misdiagnosis, stage 3 vulvar cancer, and a recurrence, Carly underwent life-changing surgery—including an ostomy—that ultimately removed the cancer for good. Now, eight years cancer-free, she shares her journey of resilience, self-love, and advocacy for gynecol...

In this episode of the GOSH Podcast , host Sabine continues our rare cancer series with an esteemed guest, Dr. David Huntsman. 🌟🎙 Dr. Huntsman is a renowned pathologist and clinical molecular geneticist at UBC, as well as the Canada Research Chair in Molecular and Genomic Pathology. As the director of OVCARE, BC’s leading ovarian cancer research team, his groundbreaking work has helped shape the...

In this episode of the GOSH Podcast , we kick off our rare cancer series with the inspiring Nancy McKinstry. In 2005, Nancy was diagnosed with clear cell ovarian cancer. Since then, she has embraced her “second life” by championing ovarian cancer research, helping secure $100 million in funding and creating initiatives like the Nancy McKinstry Trainee Excellence Award. Despite a recent recurrence,...

On this episode of the GOSH Podcast, we are joined by Golda Arthur, award-winning host of the Overlooked podcast, and her mum Teresa Arthur, whose ovarian cancer journey inspired it all. After Teresa’s diagnosis, the audio diaries she recorded became the foundation for Overlooked , a powerful podcast spotlighting women’s health issues. Golda’s 20-year career as a journalist has taken her from work...