Teenage Cancer Trust appoints Professor of teenage and young adult cancer medicine

19/07/10

Professor John Radford has been appointed as the Teenage Cancer Trust’s new Professor of Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Medicine. He succeeds Professor Tim Eden, who has held the post since 2005.

The role, which is based at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester and The University of Manchester leads research into cancer in young people and how best to treat it, ultimately improving diagnosis, treatment and survival rates.

Professor Radford joins the Teenage Cancer Trust as Director of Research at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust, clinical lead in the Manchester Cancer Research Centre and Clinical Academic Section lead for cancer in the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre.

In July 2004, Teenage Cancer Trust made history by announcing that it would be funding the world’s first Professor of Teenage Cancer Medicine. The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, and the University of Manchester were chosen as bases for the role due to excellent clinical, research and teaching facilities, combined with their philosophy and enthusiasm for developing this field of medicine.

Simon Davies, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust said, “We are thrilled to welcome Professor Radford on board. His background, international standing and expertise will enable Teenage Cancer Trust to continue improving the lives of young people with cancer. The research that he and his team will be carrying out will help to ensure that every patient has the potential to receive the very best treatment and care, and ultimately improve survival in this age group.”

John Radford said, “I’m very pleased to take this role with Teenage Cancer Trust. My research interests will be focused on developing and testing new ways of treating lymphoma, one of the most common types of cancer affecting teenagers and young adults. I will also lead research into the long-term effects of treatment on fertility, heart function and risk of developing second cancers and investigating how best to minimise and, where possible, prevent these side-effects in people cured of lymphoma.”

Professor Radford will lead a multi-disciplinary research team, also funded by Teenage Cancer Trust, specialising in many aspects of adolescent cancer ranging from molecular pathology, blood-borne markers of treatment toxicity and new drug development through to the psychological impact of cancer on young people and individualised follow-up plans once treatment is complete.

Over the past five years the team, led by Professor Tim Eden, has undertaken a wide range of research into adolescent cancer including investigating delays in diagnosing cancer in this age group. The team continues to work to improve young people’s access to clinical trials which it hopes will help to increase survival.

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