Fellow receives funding for research on fertility outcomes after cancer immunotherapy
Fellows, Funding
Anouk Benseler, a gynaecologic oncology fellow at University of Toronto, awarded a Hold’em for Life Oncology Fellowship
(photo supplied)
Anouk Benseler
By
Matthew Tierney
Dr. Anouk Benseler has been awarded a Hold’em for Life Oncology Fellowship for her research investigating the effect of oncologic immunotherapy on fertility outcomes. Immunotherapy cancer treatment is a newer type of cancer treatment that works by boosting the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells.
The Hold’em for Life Charity Challenge, in partnership with the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and its affiliated hospitals, provides fellowships worth $50,000 per year to support residents and fellows pursuing cancer research as part of its commitment to cancer research and education.
Benseler’s project, “Ovarian function and fertility outcomes after oncologic immunotherapy: a population study,” is supervised by Dr. Lilian Gien, division head of gynecologic oncology at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences and a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology.
Benseler says...
Since immunotherapy for cancer treatment was first approved in 2012 in Canada, it has become a standard therapy in nearly every cancer. But its effects on ovarian function and fertility are largely unknown. Our population-based study will provide counselling information to all young women faced with a life-changing diagnosis of cancer and the treatment option of immunotherapy.
I am passionate about improving women’s cancer care and I am incredibly grateful to the Hold’em for Life Fellowship for supporting me in my efforts. I am inspired every day to do this work by my patients, my supervisor and my colleagues, and in my pursuit I am also supported immensely by them all. It’s an honour to do this work."
