MD
Mary Jones Hudson Distinguished Professor of Geriatric Oncology
Director, Geriatric Oncology Program
UNC-Chapel Hill
Breast Cancer
Geriatric Oncology Program
Area of Interest
My major area of interest is cancer care in older patients with a special focus on breast cancer. I also have a major interest in molecular aging and the role chemotherapy plays in this phenomenon.
Awards and Honors
- Doctor of Science (Honorary), Lafayette College, Easton PA
- Past Chair, Subspecialty Board on Medical Oncology, American Board of Internal Medicine
- Past member: Board of Directors, American Board of Internal Medicine
- Co-Chair, Cancer in the Elderly Working Group, Alliance Cooperative Group (previously Cancer and Leukemia Group B)
- Recipient Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Clinical Research, 2021
- Recipient BJ Kennedy Award in Geriatric Oncology- American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2008
- Mary Jones Hudson Distinguished Professorship in Geriatric Oncology
News and Stories

Study identifies health care access barriers for older adults with multiple myeloma and their caregivers
A study led by UNC Lineberger's Shakira Grant, MBBS, and colleagues found several barriers to high-quality cancer care for people with multiple myeloma and their caregivers.

Study illustrates how obesity-related comorbidities may contribute to mortality gap between Black and white women with early breast cancer
Kirsten Nyrop, PhD, and colleagues found Black women with early breast cancer had higher rates of obesity and other health conditions that can affect outcomes, compared with white women.

Study reveals communication gap between women, doctors about breast cancer treatment symptoms
Kirsten Nyrop, PhD, Hyman Muss, MD, and colleagues compared how women with breast cancer rated the severity of 17 of their own symptoms with physician ratings of chemotherapy toxicity.

Nyrop receives grant to study interventions for racial disparities in breast cancer survival
Kirsten Nyrop, PhD, will lead a one-year qualitative research study on how clinicians can discuss weight management with breast cancer survivors in an effort to decrease racial disparities in obesity-related comorbidities that can affect survivorship.