Prof. Limor Helpman

Prof. Limor Helpman is a specialist in gynecologic oncology and gynecological surgery and is among the leading figures in the field in Israel. She combines extensive clinical and surgical experience with academic work and the training of future generations of specialists. Prof Helpman is Deputy Director of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, and heads the Minimally Invasive Surgery Unit and the Gynecologic Oncology fellowship program. Her practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological malignancies, complex pelvic surgery, and minimally invasive gynecological procedures.

Her areas of practice span the continuum from the diagnosis and treatment of precancerous conditions to the management of malignant diseases of the female reproductive system, including ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers. Her practice includes performing complex surgical procedures, advanced laparoscopic and radical surgeries, providing systemic treatment in all its forms, and caring for patients throughout their treatment journey.

Professional Training in Israel and Abroad

Prof. Helpman graduated with honors from Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine and subsequently completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov).

She later completed a fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Toronto, with clinical training at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
Upon returning to Israel, she worked as an attending faculty at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and then Sheba Medical Center, and was later appointed as head of the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Meir Medical Center. In 2017, she returned to Canada and joined McMaster University and the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton. During her tenure there, she led the Gynecologic Malignancies Disease Site Team and served as Academic Director of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Programme.

The experience she acquired working in different healthcare systems and cancer centers, in both Israel and Canada, supports Prof Helpman’s ongoing commitment to advancing her professional mission: excellence in patient care, medical education and postgraduate training, and the promotion of professional standards in the field. At Sheba Medical Center, she leads the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Programme, which is accredited by the European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO).
Surgery as Part of Comprehensive Care
Prof. Helpman’s work combines oncological expertise and advanced surgical techniques, while maintaining a grounded perspective of both the disease and the patient. Accordingly, decisions regarding surgery or other treatments are never made in isolation but form part of a comprehensive, in-depth, and carefully considered treatment plan.
One of her areas of expertise is minimally invasive surgery; in appropriate cases, this approach enable complex procedures to be performed while reducing tissue trauma and complications and facilitating recovery. In other situations, more extensive and radical surgery may be required. The choice of surgical approach is determined by the characteristics of the disease and the specific needs of each patient.
Alongside the treatment of malignant diseases, Prof. Helpman also specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of precancerous conditions of the uterine cervix and vulva. This work includes the evaluation of abnormal findings, colposcopy or vulvoscopy, biopsies and excisional procedures, reflecting the importance of early detection and the opportunity, in certain cases, to prevent the development of malignant disease..

Professionalism and Patient-centered Care

The field of gynecologic oncology often involves complex medical decisions that are challenging for patients and their families, and may include prolonged periods of uncertainty. For Prof. Helpman, the role of the physician extends beyond selecting the most appropriate treatment or performing surgery. A significant component of care is the ability to communicate information clearly, present patients with their available options, and guide them throughout the process in a respectful and transparent manner.
This approach is also reflected in how patients describe their experience under her care. Alongside professionalism and thoroughness, recurring themes in patient testimonials include attentiveness, patience, clear explanations, and a sense of confidence and reassurance during a challenging period.

Research, Teaching and Professional Activity

Alongside her clinical practice, Prof. Helpman has been actively involved in medical research and education for many years. Since 2017, she has held the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. Following her return to Israel, she was appointed Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University.
She has published dozens of scientific articles in the field of gynecologic oncology, mentors medical students and residents, and has been instrumental in developing physician training programmes in both Israel and Canada.

Throughout her career, she has been awarded research grants and professional honors, including research grants from the Israel Cancer Association, a grant from the Juravinski Research Foundation for cancer research, the H.P. Morgan Award for Excellence in Surgical Teaching, as well as research grants from the Israeli Ministry of Health and the Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research.

Prof. Helpman is a member of leading professional organizations in Israel and internationally, including the Israeli Society of Gynecologic Oncology, where she serves as a board member; the European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO); the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) in the United States; the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of Canada (GOC); and the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS).

In addition to her work at Sheba Medical Center, she provides consultations and treatment through her private practice in Tel Aviv.