William Cance, MD, named Interim Director of UA Cancer Center

To the UAHS Community:

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I am pleased to announce that William Cance, MD, deputy director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center in Phoenix, has been appointed interim director of the UA Cancer Center, effective July 1, 2019.

Dr. Cance is a renowned oncology surgeon and physician-scientist who joined the UA in October 2016. He holds the position of professor, Departments of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Pharmacology & Toxicology, and Surgery for the UA Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy – Phoenix. Dr. Cance received his medical degree from Duke University. He completed his residency in general surgery at Barnes Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine and a fellowship in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Dr. Cance is the principal investigator on a 25-year R01 grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) focusing on focal adhesion kinase (FAK). He has been awarded numerous other grants from the NCI and National Institutes of Health, as well as the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense. He has served on the NCI Board of Scientific Counselors and is currently a member of NCI Subcommittee F that focuses on institutional training and education. His cancer focus and expertise includes thyroid cancer, parathyroid disease, advanced GI malignancies and he is board-certified in general surgery.

Since his arrival, he has made enormous strides in Phoenix and across the state to establish a culture of collaboration to advance cancer care and treatment. He will oversee all clinical operations and research for the UA Cancer Center and will have a primary leadership role in the UA Cancer Center’s 2020 submission for renewal of our Cancer Center Support Grant.  

I am confident that his keen focus on collaboration will enhance programs, advance basic science, reduce disparities and elevate the UA Cancer Center’s reputation for excellence in service to our state.

Michael D. Dake, MD
Senior Vice President, UA Health Sciences