Rebecca Deboer, MD, MA

Photo of Rebecca Deboer, MD, MA
Title(s)Associate Professor, Medicine
SchoolSchool of Medicine
Address1001 Potrero Avenue, #536
San Francisco CA 94110
PronounsShe/Her/Hers
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    Rebecca (Becky) DeBoer, MD, MA is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at UCSF and an attending medical oncologist at Zuckerberg San Francisco Hospital (SFGH). She has an academic background in bioethics and global health, and prior clinical experience working as an oncology clinician at Butaro Hospital in rural Rwanda with the NGO Partners In Health. Her research uses implementation science to improve patient-centered cancer care delivery in diverse settings including Rwanda, Tanzania, and the public safety net health system in San Francisco. Her current projects focus on patient-clinician communication and care delivery quality improvement. Dr. DeBoer also teaches Global Health Ethics (PHW213) at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. Clinically, she has a general oncology clinic and a breast oncology clinic at SFGH.

    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    Stanford University, Stanford, CABA2005Human Biology
    Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, ILMD2011
    Northwestern University, Evanston, ILMA2014Medical Humanities and Bioethics
    University of Chicago, Chicago, IL2016Internal Medicine Residency
    University of Chicago MacLean Center, Chicago, IL2016Clinical Medical Ethics Fellowship
    University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA2019Medical Oncology Fellowship

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse Featured Publications
    Collapse research activities and funding
    Validation of Quality Measures for Patient-Centered Cancer Communication in Rwanda
    NIH/NCI K08CA279874Feb 13, 2024 - Jan 31, 2029
    Role: PI
    A Pilot Study of Quality Indicators for Palliative and End-of-Life Cancer Care in Rwanda
    UCSF Society of Hellman Fellows Award A7504836Jul 1, 2023 - Jun 30, 2025
    Role: PI
    Cultural Adaptation of a Serious Illness Communication Intervention for Latinx Patients with Advanced Cancer at a Public Safety Net Hospital
    National Palliative Care Research Center (NPCRC) Kornfeld Scholars Program Award A137937Jul 1, 2021 - Jun 30, 2023
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Adaptation and Implementation of Evidence-Based Communication Skills Training at Butaro Hospital in Rwanda
    Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation: 2020 Global Oncology Young Investigator Award: Implementation Science to Address Oncology Care in LMICs A135339Jul 1, 2020 - Jun 30, 2021
    Role: Principal Investigator
    An Ethical Approach to Routine Tragic Choices: Radiotherapy Allocation in Rwanda
    Greenwall Foundation A131753Jul 1, 2018 - Dec 31, 2020
    Role: Principal Investigator
    University of California Launching Future Leaders in Global Health Research Training Program
    NIH D43TW009343Apr 4, 2012 - Jun 30, 2027
    Role: GloCal Health Fellow

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    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
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    Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. The social and clinical profile of patients with ocular surface squamous cell carcinoma in Tanzania. BMC Cancer. 2026 May 30. Malangwa G, Banzi MO, Makupa G, Nnko G, Mwakipunda L, Rugengemanzi E, Karia A, Ramadhan A, Mashashi G, Idrisa C, Gisiri M, Kashabano J, Mabruk NA, Moturi M, Mushi B, Ndumbalo J, Kahesa C, Maunda K, DeBoer RJ, Mmbaga E, Lugina EL. PMID: 42218433.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    2. Adaptation of a Serious Illness Communication Training Intervention for the Rwandan Context. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2026 Feb; 71(2):243-252.e5. DeBoer RJ, Uwamahoro P, Ndoli DA, Rugengamanzi E, Mulindabigwi A, Bigirimana JB, Musafiri T, Slater SE, Van Loon K, Sudore RL, Anderson WG, Sanders JJ, Cubaka VK. PMID: 41135916; PMCID: PMC12702458.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    3. Setting the stage for communication skills training in Rwandan cancer care: a qualitative study of local priorities and key contextual factors. BMC Palliat Care. 2025 Sep 30; 24(1):240. Uwamahoro P, Girukubonye I, Bigirimana JB, Shyirambere C, Van Loon K, Sudore RL, Sanders JJ, Cubaka VK, DeBoer RJ. PMID: 41029628; PMCID: PMC12487494.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    4. An intervention mapping approach to the development and evaluation of a community-based prostate cancer early detection programme in Nigeria. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025; 5(8):e0004966. Tolani MA, Agbo CA, Umar SS, Paciorek A, Ojewola RW, Mohammed F, Maiga M, Kaninjing E, Ahmed M, DeBoer R. PMID: 40763189; PMCID: PMC12324090.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    5. A scoping review of clinical communication in cancer care in Africa. Oncologist. 2025 Apr 04; 30(4). DeBoer RJ, Wabl CA, Mushi BP, Uwamahoro P, Athanas R, Ndoli DA, Rugengamanzi E, Ngoma M, Tuyishime H, Mtei D, Nsabimana N, Van Loon K, Sanders JJ, Sudore RL, Cubaka VK. PMID: 40212023; PMCID: PMC12079379.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    6. Quality of Care and Survival Outcomes Among Patients With Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer in Nigeria. JCO Glob Oncol. 2025 Mar; 11:e2400504. Tolani MA, Agbo CA, Paciorek A, Umar SS, Ojewola RW, Mohammed F, Kaninjing E, Ahmed M, DeBoer R. PMID: 40127382; PMCID: PMC12004982.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    7. Is It a Bribe? Research Personnels' Perceptions of the Ethical Aspects of Financial Compensation to Healthy Volunteers in Prevention Trials in Tanzania. AJOB Empir Bioeth. 2025 Apr-Jun; 16(2):112-125. Athanas R, Frumence G, DeBoer RJ, Ulrich CM. PMID: 40105119; PMCID: PMC12806150.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    8. Using context-specific evidence to inform resource-stratified cancer guidelines: A call for a new approach. Cancer. 2025 Jan 01; 131(1):e35573. Buckle GC, DeBoer R, Xu MJ, Mrema A, Rubagumya F, Velloza J, Falade AS, Van Loon K. PMID: 39306723; PMCID: PMC11694159.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    9. Detection and management of localized prostate cancer in Nigeria: barriers and facilitators according to patients, caregivers and healthcare providers. BMC Health Serv Res. 2024 Aug 12; 24(1):918. Tolani MA, Agbo CA, Paciorek A, Umar SS, Ojewola RW, Mohammed F, Kaninjing E, Ahmed M, DeBoer R. PMID: 39135037; PMCID: PMC11318139.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    10. Outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical hysterectomy for locally advanced cervical cancer at Kigali University Teaching Hospital, Rwanda: a retrospective descriptive study. BMC Womens Health. 2024 Mar 30; 24(1):204. Ngabonziza E, Ghebre R, DeBoer RJ, Ntasumbumuyange D, Magriples U, George J, Grover S, Bazzett-Matabele L. PMID: 38555423; PMCID: PMC10981286.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    11. A roadmap to establishing global oncology as a priority initiative within a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2024 03 07; 116(3):345-351. Van Loon K, Breithaupt L, Ng D, DeBoer RJ, Buckle GC, Bialous S, Hiatt RA, Volberding P, Hermiston ML, Ashworth A. PMID: 38060289; PMCID: PMC10919326.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    12. Ethical dilemmas in prioritizing patients for scarce radiotherapy resources. BMC Med Ethics. 2024 01 31; 25(1):12. DeBoer RJ, Ho A, Mutoniwase E, Nguyen C, Umutesi G, Bigirimana JB, Nsabimana N, Van Loon K, Shulman LN, Triedman SA, Cubaka VK, Shyirambere C. PMID: 38297294; PMCID: PMC10829165.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    
    13. Delayed diagnostic evaluation of symptomatic breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: A qualitative study of Tanzanian women. PLoS One. 2022; 17(10):e0275639. Sakafu LL, Philipo GS, Malichewe CV, Fundikira LS, Lwakatare FA, Van Loon K, Mushi BP, DeBoer RJ, Bialous SA, Lee AY. PMID: 36201503; PMCID: PMC9536581.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 21     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    14. A Ten-Year Experience of Treating Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Rural Rwanda: Outcomes and Insights for a Changing Landscape. JCO Glob Oncol. 2022 07; 8:e2200131. Morgan J, DeBoer RJ, Bigirimana JB, Nguyen C, Ruhangaza D, Paciorek A, Mugabo F, Villaverde C, Nsabimana N, Bihizimana P, Umwizerwa A, Lehmann LE, Shulman LN, Shyirambere C. PMID: 35839427; PMCID: PMC9812457.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    15. Decision-making about clinical trial options among older patients with metastatic cancer who have exhausted standard therapies. J Geriatr Oncol. 2022 06; 13(5):594-599. Tsang M, DeBoer RJ, Garrett SB, Dohan D. PMID: 35125334; PMCID: PMC9232893.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    16. Reconceptualizing Risk-Benefit Assessment of Novel Cancer Therapies to Expand Global Access and Reduce Worldwide Mortality. JAMA Oncol. 2022 02 01; 8(2):203-204. DeBoer RJ, Rugo HS, Shulman LN. PMID: 34882172.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    17. Cervical cancer treatment in Rwanda: Resource-driven adaptations, quality indicators, and patient outcomes. Gynecol Oncol. 2022 02; 164(2):370-378. DeBoer RJ, Umutoni V, Bazzett-Matabele L, Katznelson E, Nguyen C, Umwizerwa A, Bigirimana JB, Paciorek A, Nsabimana N, Ruhangaza D, Ntasumbumuyange D, Shulman LN, Triedman SA, Shyirambere C. PMID: 34916066.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 14     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    18. Procedural fairness for radiotherapy priority setting in a low resource context. Bioethics. 2022 06; 36(5):500-510. DeBoer RJ, Nguyen C, Mutoniwase E, Ho A, Umutesi G, Bigirimana JB, Triedman SA, Shyirambere C. PMID: 34415636; PMCID: PMC9292884.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    19. Views from Multidisciplinary Oncology Clinicians on Strengthening Cancer Care Delivery Systems in Tanzania. Oncologist. 2021 07; 26(7):e1197-e1204. Nyagabona SK, Luhar R, Ndumbalo J, Mvungi N, Ngoma M, Meena S, Siu S, Said M, Mwaiselage J, Tarimo E, Buckle G, Selekwa M, Mushi B, Mmbaga EJ, Van Loon K, DeBoer RJ. PMID: 34041817; PMCID: PMC8265360.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    20. Moral Distress and Resilience Associated with Cancer Care Priority Setting in a Resource-Limited Context. Oncologist. 2021 07; 26(7):e1189-e1196. DeBoer RJ, Mutoniwase E, Nguyen C, Ho A, Umutesi G, Nkusi E, Sebahungu F, Van Loon K, Shulman LN, Shyirambere C. PMID: 33969927; PMCID: PMC8265342.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    21. Multisector Collaborations and Global Oncology: The Only Way Forward. JCO Glob Oncol. 2021 01; 7:153-161. Blanchard C, Lubuzo B, Asirwa FC, Dlamini X, Msadabwe-Chikuni SC, Mwachiro M, Shyirambere C, Ruhangaza D, Milner DA, Van Loon K, DeBoer R, Mtshali P, Dugan U, Baker E, Shulman LN. PMID: 33493021; PMCID: PMC8081550.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 5     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    22. Applying Lessons Learned From Low-Resource Settings to Prioritize Cancer Care in a Pandemic. JAMA Oncol. 2020 09 01; 6(9):1429-1433. DeBoer RJ, Fadelu TA, Shulman LN, Van Loon K. PMID: 32761149.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12     Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsPHPublic Health
    23. Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma With ABVD Chemotherapy in Rural Rwanda: A Model for Cancer Care Delivery Implementation. JCO Glob Oncol. 2020 07; 6:1093-1102. DeBoer RJ, Shyirambere C, Driscoll CD, Butera Y, Paciorek A, Ruhangaza D, Fadelu TA, Umwizerwa A, Bigirimana JB, Muhayimana C, Nguyen C, Park PH, Mpunga T, Lehmann L, Shulman LN. PMID: 32678711; PMCID: PMC7392734.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    24. Breast cancer treatment: A phased approach to implementation. Cancer. 2020 05 15; 126 Suppl 10:2365-2378. Mutebi M, Anderson BO, Duggan C, Adebamowo C, Agarwal G, Ali Z, Bird P, Bourque JM, DeBoer R, Gebrim LH, Masetti R, Masood S, Menon M, Nakigudde G, Ng'ang'a A, Niyonzima N, Rositch AF, Unger-Saldaña K, Villarreal-Garza C, Dvaladze A, El Saghir NS, Gralow JR, Eniu A. PMID: 32348571.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 63     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    25. The role of dissemination and implementation science in global breast cancer control programs: Frameworks, methods, and examples. Cancer. 2020 05 15; 126 Suppl 10:2394-2404. Rositch AF, Unger-Saldaña K, DeBoer RJ, Ng'ang'a A, Weiner BJ. PMID: 32348574.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 30     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    26. Development of a theory-driven implementation strategy for cancer management guidelines in sub-Saharan Africa. Implement Sci Commun. 2020; 1:24. DeBoer RJ, Ndumbalo J, Meena S, Ngoma MT, Mvungi N, Siu S, Selekwa M, Nyagabona SK, Luhar R, Buckle G, Lin TK, Breithaupt L, Kennell-Heiling S, Mushi B, Philipo GS, Mmbaga EJ, Mwaiselage J, Van Loon K. PMID: 32885183; PMCID: PMC7427872.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 15  
    27. Palliative Oncologic Care Curricula for Providers in Resource-Limited and Underserved Communities: a Systematic Review. J Cancer Educ. 2019 04; 34(2):205-215. Xu MJ, Su D, Deboer R, Garcia M, Tahir P, Anderson W, Kinderman A, Braunstein S, Sherertz T. PMID: 29264703.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    28. Increasing global access to cancer care: models of care with non-oncologists as primary providers. Lancet Oncol. 2017 08; 18(8):1000-1002. Rubagumya F, Greenberg L, Manirakiza A, DeBoer R, Park PH, Mpunga T, Shulman LN. PMID: 28759361.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 22     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    29. No Exit: Identifying Avoidable Terminal Oncology Intensive Care Unit Hospitalizations. J Oncol Pract. 2016 10; 12(10):e901-e911. Daly B, Hantel A, Wroblewski K, Balachandran JS, Chow S, DeBoer R, Fleming GF, Hahn OM, Kline J, Liu H, Patel BK, Verma A, Witt LJ, Fukui M, Kumar A, Howell MD, Polite BN. PMID: 27601514; PMCID: PMC5063186.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 11     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    30. Clinical impact of ABL1 kinase domain mutations and IKZF1 deletion in adults under age 60 with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): molecular analysis of CALGB (Alliance) 10001 and 9665. Leuk Lymphoma. 2016 10; 57(10):2298-306. DeBoer R, Koval G, Mulkey F, Wetzler M, Devine S, Marcucci G, Stone RM, Larson RA, Bloomfield CD, Geyer S, Mullighan CG, Stock W. PMID: 26892479; PMCID: PMC5008253.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 24     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    31. Integrative analysis of head and neck cancer identifies two biologically distinct HPV and three non-HPV subtypes. Clin Cancer Res. 2015 Feb 15; 21(4):870-81. Keck MK, Zuo Z, Khattri A, Stricker TP, Brown CD, Imanguli M, Rieke D, Endhardt K, Fang P, Brägelmann J, DeBoer R, El-Dinali M, Aktolga S, Lei Z, Tan P, Rozen SG, Salgia R, Weichselbaum RR, Lingen MW, Story MD, Ang KK, Cohen EE, White KP, Vokes EE, Seiwert TY. PMID: 25492084.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 199     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    32. Economics of Malignant Gliomas: A Critical Review. J Oncol Pract. 2015 01; 11(1):e59-65. Raizer JJ, Fitzner KA, Jacobs DI, Bennett CL, Liebling DB, Luu TH, Trifilio SM, Grimm SA, Fisher MJ, Haleem MS, Ray PS, McKoy JM, DeBoer R, Tulas KM, Deeb M, McKoy JM. PMID: 25466707; PMCID: PMC4295423.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 34     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    33. Integrative and comparative genomic analysis of HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Clin Cancer Res. 2015 Feb 01; 21(3):632-41. Seiwert TY, Zuo Z, Keck MK, Khattri A, Pedamallu CS, Stricker T, Brown C, Pugh TJ, Stojanov P, Cho J, Lawrence MS, Getz G, Brägelmann J, DeBoer R, Weichselbaum RR, Langerman A, Portugal L, Blair E, Stenson K, Lingen MW, Cohen EE, Vokes EE, White KP, Hammerman PS. PMID: 25056374; PMCID: PMC4305034.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 372     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    34. Identifying the needs of brain tumor patients and their caregivers. J Neurooncol. 2011 Sep; 104(3):737-44. Parvataneni R, Polley MY, Freeman T, Lamborn K, Prados M, Butowski N, Liu R, Clarke J, Page M, Rabbitt J, Fedoroff A, Clow E, Hsieh E, Kivett V, Deboer R, Chang S. PMID: 21311950; PMCID: PMC3170122.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 20     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    35. Response of an adult patient with pineoblastoma to vorinostat and retinoic acid. J Neurooncol. 2009 Nov; 95(2):289-292. DeBoer R, Batjer H, Marymont M, Goldman S, Walker M, Gottardi-Littell N, Raizer J. PMID: 19506816.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    36. Phase II study of erlotinib plus temozolomide during and after radiation therapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme or gliosarcoma. J Clin Oncol. 2009 Feb 01; 27(4):579-84. Prados MD, Chang SM, Butowski N, DeBoer R, Parvataneni R, Carliner H, Kabuubi P, Ayers-Ringler J, Rabbitt J, Page M, Fedoroff A, Sneed PK, Berger MS, McDermott MW, Parsa AT, Vandenberg S, James CD, Lamborn KR, Stokoe D, Haas-Kogan DA. PMID: 19075262; PMCID: PMC2645859.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 180     Fields:    Translation:HumansCTClinical Trials
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