Mayer Advising NCI on Cancer Survivorship Issues and Research

SON Professor Deborah K. Mayer, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN, who directs cancer survivorship at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, has been appointed to an advisory role on cancer survivorship issues with the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS).

Mayer, who is nationally recognized for her expertise in cancer survivorship research, will provide insight on current and future DCCPS research projects as well as partner with colleagues across DCCPS, the NCI and the National Institutes of Health to address issues in cancer survivorship. She will maintain her appointments at UNC and actively serve in her leadership of UNC Lineberger cancer survivorship efforts, while also working directly with DCCPS, NCI and NIH colleagues and programs.

Mayer has more than 30 years of experience in cancer nursing, education and research. She is past president of the Oncology Nursing Society and a former member of the National Cancer Institute’s National Cancer Advisory Board and the Board of Scientific Advisors. In 2016, Mayer was appointed as the only nurse to the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative’s Blue Ribbon Panel. She lectures internationally on oncology and oncology nursing, has published more 150 articles and book chapters, and maintains a clinical practice working with breast cancer survivors at UNC-Chapel Hill.

“I can think of no one better than Dr. Mayer to lead the science on cancer survivorship at the national level or inform its practice,” said Dean Nena Peragallo Montano, DrPH, RN, FAAN. “Her experience, dedication and compassion join her expertise to make her a uniquely informed advocate for survivors. All who have been or will be touched by cancer are well served by the guidance she will provide the National Cancer Institute on matters of research and policy.”

The NCI established DCCPS in 1997 to reduce cancer risk, incidence, and death and enhance quality of life for cancer survivors by supporting innovative research and recommending ways to apply that research in quality health care delivery.

“The good news is that better, more effective cancer treatments has resulted in more people surviving their cancer diagnosis, but there are many consequences of having cancer that we need to do a better job in addressing,” said Mayer. “I am looking forward to building on my work with the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative and working with the DCCPS on the direction of its survivorship research,” said Mayer.

Mayer will serve as an advisor through 2018.