Twin honours for cancer specialist

A senior cancer expert from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital receives two prestigious awards this month in recognition of her contribution to the study of cancer.

Professor Ann Barrett will be awarded the coveted President’s Medal of the Royal College of Radiologists at a ceremony in London on Friday May 19. The medal is awarded annually to one Fellow of the college in recognition of their contribution to the work of the college and to their specialty.

And in Washington DC two days later, the Professor of Oncology at UEA will be made an Honorary Fellow of the American College of Radiology in recognition of her international collaborative research, particularly in the field of childhood cancer. Founded in 1924, unusually the American college is older than its British counterpart.

Prof Barrett said: “I am of course delighted with these honours which I hope will highlight the work of UEA’s School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice. For me, they act as a marker between my past contribution to oncology and my current work at the university.

“I know, however that they will not give me as much pleasure as the graduation of our first students next summer.” Prof Barrett’s areas of clinical interest include paediatric oncology, sarcomas, skin tumours and patient support. She is currently leading a Europe-wide study of post-cancer patient care.

In addition to her role at UEA, Prof Barrett is a consultant in clinical oncology and lead clinician at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. She was vice-president of the Royal College of Radiologists from 2003 to 2005 and is currently a member of the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group which advises the Department of Health on provision of radiotherapy services.