Worta McCaskill-Stevens, MD, died on Nov. 15 from complications from a sarcoma. She was 74.
Worta was widely known and incredibly popular for her warmth, grace, and brilliance in the oncology community, and especially in the cancer clinical trials community. Indeed, Worta was admired. She was a dear friend to many. She cared about people suffering challenges. She understood the importance of calmly explaining scientific principles and strategies to oncology professionals and lay people.
Her wisdom, skill, and patience allowed her to organize numerous scientific projects, the results of which have prevented literally thousands of cancer deaths.
Worta was not just committed to the sound science-based practice of research and medicine. She was a patron of the arts, especially dance and music. The Elton John version of the song “Circle of Life” has a line: “In the circle of life, you should never take more than you give.” This was her philosophy of life.
Indeed, Worta lived an extraordinary life, with innumerable contributions to cancer research, particularly in the areas of screening and community cancer research. She steadfastly championed diversity in cancer research and better care for underserved communities throughout her life and career.
Worta was born in Louisburg, NC, on July 26, 1949. She attended a private boarding school in the Northeast and went to college at Washington University in St. Louis. She initially worked in journalism and publishing before deciding to go to medical school.
Worta graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1985. She trained in internal medicine at Georgetown and in medical oncology at Mayo Clinic. She joined the faculty at Indiana University as a breast oncologist in 1991 and joined the NCI in 1998 in what was then called the Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) and Minority Based (CCOP).
At NCI, she planned and managed a portfolio of research activities with an emphasis on the design, development, implementation, and oversight of phase II and III cancer clinical trials.
In an amazingly productive career, Worta:
- Was critical in the organization and conduct of the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR), a study of nearly 20,000 postmenopausal women at increased risk of breast cancer,
- Played critical rolls in the international HERA trial which helped establish how to use the biological agent trastuzumab,
- Chaired the NIH State-of the-Science Conference on ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS),
- Helped organize and conduct the Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST), an ongoing, international breast cancer screening trial of nearly 130,000 women ages 45 to 74.
Worta was instrumental in the reorganization of the CCOP program transforming it to the well-respected NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) in 2014 and becoming the director. The network now brings cancer clinical trials and care to people in 1,000 medical practices in diverse communities across the U.S. and is responsible for dramatically increasing minority participation in clinical trials.
Dr. McCaskill-Stevens received much recognition for her work. Among them:
- The Jane Cook Wright Memorial Lecture at American Association for Cancer Research,
- An honorary Doctor of Science degree from her alma mater, Georgetown, in 2017
- The David King Community Clinical Scientist Award from The Association of Community Cancer Centers
In August 2023, NCI created the NCI Worta McCaskill-Stevens Career Development Award for Community Oncology and Prevention Research in her honor.
Worta showed her usual courage and grace during the time in which she endured the sarcoma. We both had the opportunity to spend time with our dear friend in the last weeks of her life. It is important to Worta that we let the people who loved her know that she died comforted by that love.
She was especially moved by and grateful for the Zoom retirement party organized by NCI staff. It allowed for attendance by NCI staff as well as staff from the cooperative groups and NCORP sites across the country.
Worta is survived by her son and daughter-in-law and her granddaughters.
Otis W. Brawley, MD, MACP
Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Oncology and Epidemiology,
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University
Lucile L. Adams-Campbell, PhD
Professor of oncology,
Associate director for minority health and health disparities research,
Senior associate dean for community outreach and engagement,
Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center,
Georgetown University Medical Center
