Aintree consultant heads battle against second biggest cancer killer

A Liverpool cancer surgeon has been recruited to lead the UK’s fight against the disease.

Mr Robert Jones, Consultant Surgeon at Aintree University Hospital, has been named by Bowel Cancer UK as the UK’s first Surgical Speciality Lead in Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Robert has also been awarded with a fellowship by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), to develop and run major clinical trials for advanced bowel cancer.

His appointments, which both last three years, will see Robert, carry out research to develop better treatments for colorectal liver metastases, an advanced form of bowel cancer which occurs when the disease spreads from the bowel to surrounding organs, most commonly the liver.

Around 10,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal metastases in the UK per year and it is traditionally associated with a low survival rate.

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Robert said: “I feel extremely privileged to have been appointed to these roles. Despite it being a relatively common disease, many people are still unaware of the treatments now available for advanced bowel cancer, as new research findings are implemented so rapidly. It is now my job to raise awareness of existing treatments, and help develop new innovative approaches to make sure that more patients with colorectal liver metastases are offered the chance of a longer and better life.”

Aintree Hospital is one of the busiest centres in the country for the treatment of colorectal; liver metastases, and operates on around 200 patients each year.

Dr Lisa Wilde, Director of Research and External Affairs at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We’re delighted to have appointed Mr Robert Jones as Surgical Specialty Lead. His new role will be instrumental in encouraging more surgical research into advanced bowel cancer to help increase quality and length of life for patients.”