Published on 1 February 2024
A Chair of Oncology has been appointed by the University of Liverpool to tackle cancer in the Liverpool City Region.
Professor Tim Maughan takes on this newly created role to work with researchers, the NHS and communities to deliver a 10-year strategy.
Merseyside is a region with areas of significant low income and associated health related inequalities. For example, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, Professor Matt Ashton painted a picture of the city’s health in his recent report, see State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040.
The report shows 63% of the population of Liverpool are from the lowest quintile of deprivation and by 2040 cancer incidence will have increased by 16,100 people to 34,100 new diagnoses per annum. The 10-year strategy will address this.
The University boasts a range of world-leading cancer experts, with particular strength in head and neck, lung, pancreatic, colorectal, and liver cancers. Liverpool has world-leading centres for research and treatment and Professor Maughan’s plan uses these existing strengths to ensure better health outcomes for local residents.
The strategy maximises this existing area of expertise and through greater understanding of the disease the plan will see improved treatments. Partnerships will also be key to the successful delivery of the plan.
Professor Maughan said: “I’m incredibly proud to join the team at the University of Liverpool. I have dedicated my life and career to better understanding this disease that affects so many people. I’m delighted to bring my expertise to an area of the UK that is disproportionately affected.
“Key to taking on this challenge will be working with NHS colleagues and public health teams across the region, and I look forward to collaborating with them. Our focus will be two-fold. Firstly, we aim to improve outcomes from immunotherapy through an in depth understanding of factors limiting the immune response to cancer.
“Secondly, we aim to bring together partners across the city with our scientific researchers to address the excess and rising cancer burden especially in deprived areas through a focus on prevention and early detection of cancer.”