Kelly Metcalfe

Kelly Metcalfe is a Professor at the University of Toronto's Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, Department of Nursing, and serves as a Senior Scientist with Women's College Research Institute. She is internationally recognized for her research in hereditary breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Dr. Metcalfe's research focuses on preventing and treating cancers in individuals with genetic predispositions, particularly hereditary breast cancer. She leads one of the largest studies designed to improve outcomes for young women with breast cancer and evaluates the value of direct rapid genetic testing at the time of breast cancer diagnosis. Her work includes investigating newly identified genetic mutations like PALB2, developing decision aids for individuals with BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, and publishing extensively on the psychosocial implications of preventive options including prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy.

Her recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on BRCA-related cancer risks, prevention strategies, and outcomes. Her research spans breast cancer mortality following risk-reducing surgeries, hormonal contraception risks for mutation carriers, and cancer risks across multiple sites in BRCA mutation carriers. Her work combines clinical outcomes research with patient-centered decision-making tools.

• Wendy Lack Women of Action Scientific Award from Israel Cancer Research Foundation
• Canadian Nurses Association Order of Merit for Research (2022)
• Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame Award (2024)
• Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
• Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing

Dr. Metcalfe has led significant research initiatives including large international studies on hereditary breast cancer outcomes and has developed clinical tools to improve patient decision-making. Her work bridges nursing science, oncology, and genetics to improve care for high-risk cancer populations.