Cancer specialist Professor Michael Moriarty appointed Adjunct Professor
"The next decade needs to further advance these achievements so that cancer will come to be recognised in a similar way to other illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and rheumatic problems and thereby lose it's present iconic/life threating status", said Professor Michael Moriarty, former Medical Director of St Lukes Hospital, at his inaugural lecture as Adjunct Professor at Dublin City University.
This brings to three the number of cancer clinical specialists who collaborate with the university in its cancer research programme. They include Professor John Crown, Professor of Translational Research and Professor Susan Kennedy, Professor of Cancer Pathology.
In his inaugural speech, Professor Moriarty also said that Ireland had a higher incidence of cancer compared to other European countries. Irish women are ranked second and Irish men are ranked fourth overall. The statistics showed that 30,000 people in Ireland were diagnosed with cancer in 2010, an increase of 12% compared to 2004-2006.
"Despite these alarming statistics, there has nevertheless been a significant decrease in mortality over the last decade and we should be encouraged by that. The decrease has been brought about by lifestyle changes such as reduction in smoking. Improved breast and cervical cancer screening have also led to a reduction in mortality. The introduction of colorectal screening programme, when the financial situation improves, will also lead to a decrease in the mortality rates from the disease. Major advances in both surgery and radiation therapy are also occurring and continue to impact on the cancer care.
"This is an exciting era for cancer research, and I am delighted to be able to bring my expertise and knowledge to the research initiatives at the NICB. There have also been major advances in the treatment of cancer in recent years, particularly through a focus on biologically targeted agents which allow a more selective approach to patients who have been identified by molecular profiling. This is a hugely exciting area in which NICB is playing an important role, and I am delighted to be able to bring my knowledge and experience to this research collaboration", said Professor Moriarty.
Speaking on the appointment, Professor Martin Clynes, Director of the National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology said, "DCU believes that improved cancer treatments are more likely to come about as a result of collaborative research programmes between academic researchers and clinicians in the field. We are particularly pleased to welcome the appointment of Professor Moriarty who has a long and distinguished career as a specialist in radiation therapy. His collaboration with us at DCU will significantly enhance the clinical relevance of our research programme and teaching in relation to cancer, which makes this an important strategic opportunity for DCU. It is also an appropriate recognition for Professor Moriarty's distinguished career as a cancer specialist. His special area of expertise in radiotherapy and radiobiology complements the work of Professor John Crown in Oncology and Chemotherapy, and Professor Susan Kennedy in cancer pathology".