Helen Bell Milburn
Born(1887-10-18)October 18, 1887
London, Ontario, Canada
DiedSeptember 21, 1986(1986-09-21) (aged 98)
NationalityCanadian
EducationUniversity of Toronto (BA, 1911; M.D., 1919)
OccupationRadiologist
Years active1919–1954
Employer(s)Women’s College Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, Toronto General Hospital

Helen Bell Milburn (October 18, 1887 – September 21, 1986) was a Canadian radiologist.[1] She was on the staff of the Department of Radiology at Toronto’s Women's College Hospital from 1923 to 1954 and the Chairman of the hospital’s Breast Cancer Research Committee.[2][3]

Early life and education

Milburn was born on October 18, 1887, in London, Ontario.[3] She attended the University of Toronto where she completed a BA in 1911 and an M.D. in 1919.[4] After obtaining her medical degree, she travelled to Bellevue Hospital in New York City where she received further training on X-rays.[3] By 1922 she had returned to Canada to join the Toronto General Hospital where she would study radiation therapy until 1923.[3][4]

Career

Milburn joined the staff of Women's College Hospital in 1923.[4] She specialized in radiology and was appointed as the Assistant Chief of Radiology.[1] She also became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1947.[4]

During her time at Women’s College Hospital, Milburn helped pioneer breast cancer research.[2] In 1939, the hospital formed a Breast Cancer Research Committee, where Milburn was appointed the chair.[2] The committee, in 1945, then established “one of the earliest long-term breast cancer studies in Canada”[2] This study lasted for several decades and had over 4000 participants–mostly nursing students from the Women’s College Hospital School of Nursing and other schools.[2] The purpose of the study was to “develop a profile of women who are most likely to develop breast cancer”.[2] The study focused on several factors which included: body weight, breast size, overall health, family history of breast cancer, smoking and other lifestyle factors.[2]Even though this study was scheduled to conclude in the 1960s, participants continued to send health data to the hospital into the 1980s.[5]

Retirement and legacy

While Women's College Hospital's breast cancer study continued well into the 1980s, Milburn retired from her position at the hospital in 1954.[3][5] However, according to her obituary in the Toronto Star even after her retirement “she maintained an active interest in breast cancer research at the hospital”.[3]

Milburn died on September 21, 1986.[1]

Personal life

In 1924, she married Clement Milburn.[3] The couple enjoyed travelling and visited several places, including Australia, Europe and the United States.[3] The couple had one son.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Obituary: Helen Bell Milburn". Canadian Medical Association Journal. 135: 1219. November 15, 1986.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Be Bold for Change in Women's Health Research". Archives of Women's College Hospital.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Obituary: Helen Milburn was specialist in radiology". Toronto Star. September 23, 1986.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Application Form for Appointment to the Medical Staff: Helen Bell Milburn". Archives of Women's College Hospital.
  5. 1 2 Gardiner, Heather. "WCH launched one of Canada's earliest long-term breast cancer studies". Women’s College Hospital.
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