SUMMARY
Jamie N. Bakkum-Gamez, M.D., is an internationally recognized gynecologic oncologist whose research focuses on improving the prevention, early detection and treatment of gynecologic cancers.
Dr. Bakkum-Gamez's career bridges laboratory discovery, translational science, clinical trials and quality improvement. She has dedicated her work to improving outcomes and quality of life for people facing gynecologic cancers, including ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer.
Dr. Bakkum-Gamez leads innovative efforts aimed at intercepting gynecologic cancers earlier, improving surgical outcomes, and expanding access to prevention and detection strategies. Her research integrates molecular science, clinical trials, implementation science and patient-centered care, with the shared goal of reducing the burden of gynecologic cancers.
Through collaborative, multidisciplinary research and a strong commitment to mentorship and innovation, Dr. Bakkum-Gamez remains at the forefront of advancing women's cancer research and care.
In addition to conducting research, Dr. Bakkum-Gamez is deeply committed to mentorship and collaborative science. She has mentored residents, fellows, junior faculty, physician assistants and research trainees throughout her career and serves in leadership roles supporting early-career investigators.
Focus areas
Dr. Bakkum-Gamez has several research focus areas.
Transforming early detection of gynecologic cancer
One of Dr. Bakkum-Gamez's most impactful scientific contributions has been developing minimally invasive approaches to detect endometrial and ovarian cancers using methylated DNA markers (MDMs). Her research has demonstrated that cancer-associated DNA signatures can be detected in vaginal fluid and plasma. This finding has opened the possibility for earlier and more accessible diagnosis of gynecologic cancers.
Her pioneering work evaluating tampon-based and other self-collected vaginal sampling approaches has helped redefine how clinicians and researchers think about cancer detection. This innovative strategy seeks to create more convenient, less invasive testing options for people experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding or those at elevated risk of gynecologic malignancies.
Dr. Bakkum-Gamez leads multiple translational studies in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across Mayo Clinic, the National Cancer Institute and industry partners, including Exact Sciences. Her active clinical research includes the phase 2 clinical study called Leveraging Methylated DNA Markers in the Detection of Endometrial, Cervical and Ovarian Cancer, which is focused on advancing biomarker-driven detection tests.
Her work has resulted in numerous high-impact publications that demonstrate the feasibility and promise of molecular detection strategies for gynecologic cancers.
Among her most influential studies in this area of research are:
- Detecting endometrial cancer through vaginal tampon DNA analysis.
- Developing and validating plasma methylated DNA markers to detect ovarian cancer.
- Tampon-based molecular testing for endometrial cancer diagnosis.
- Understanding challenges to timely diagnosis and access to care.
Ovarian cancer prevention and risk reduction
Dr. Bakkum-Gamez is also internationally recognized for her work in ovarian cancer prevention, especially in people with hereditary cancer syndromes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants.
She serves as site principal investigator and collaborator for several national and international ovarian cancer prevention trials evaluating innovative risk-reducing surgical strategies. These studies evaluate interval salpingectomy with delayed oophorectomy as an alternative to traditional risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy for women at high risk.
Dr. Bakkum-Gamez also collaborates internationally on research exploring opportunistic salpingectomy as a strategy to reduce ovarian cancer incidence in average-risk populations.
Her research has helped inform evolving approaches to ovarian cancer prevention and has contributed to growing global interest in fallopian tube-based prevention strategies.
Improving surgical care and recovery
Beyond translational cancer research, Dr. Bakkum-Gamez has led numerous quality-improvement initiatives for surgery. In particular, these are aimed at improving perioperative care and surgical outcomes for patients undergoing gynecologic cancer surgery.
Dr. Bakkum-Gamez played a key leadership role in implementing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways in gynecologic oncology at Mayo Clinic. These evidence-based pathways have been associated with shorter hospital stays, reduced opioid use, lower complication rates and improved patient recovery.
Her research and quality initiatives also have focused on:
- Reducing surgical site infections.
- Optimizing blood transfusion practices.
- Improving venous thromboembolism prevention.
- Enhancing genetic counseling referral rates after ovarian cancer diagnosis.
- Standardizing perioperative care pathways across gynecologic oncology surgery.
Significance to patient care
There's no screening test for endometrial cancer. Once endometrial cancer spreads, it's difficult to treat effectively. Better treatments for endometrial cancer are desperately needed. Dr. Bakkum-Gamez's goal is to develop the first screening and early detection test for endometrial cancer. Dr. Bakkum-Gamez also hopes to discover better ways to prevent and treat ovarian cancer and to reduce problems after cancer surgery.
Professional highlights
- Mayo Clinic:
- Co-lead, Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Translational Science Team, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2024-present.
- Chair, Surgical Quality Subcommittee, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, 2021-present.
- Co-director, Administrative Core and Career Enhancement Program, Mayo Clinic Ovarian Cancer SPORE, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2018-present.
- Patient Experience Award, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
- Co-lead, Women's Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2016-2024.
- Chair, Data Safety Monitoring Board, Department of Surgery, 2013-2016.
- Deputy editor, Gynecologic Oncology Reports, 2022-present.
- Chair, Development Committee, Foundation for Women's Cancer, 2023-present.
- Member, Uterine Corpus Cancer Subcommittee, NRG Oncology, 2015-present.
- Innovation in Ob Gyn Award, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), 2026.
- President's Award, Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, 2026.
- Member representing Mayo Clinic, National Comprehensive Cancer Network Ovarian Cancer Guidelines Committee, 2014-2021.