A TEAM at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has been shortlisted for the prestigious British Medical Journal Awards 2018.

The Papillon team, for rectal cancer, is one of six across the country being considered for final judging in the Cancer Care team category.

Shortlisted teams will gather in London on May 10 for a morning’s judging followed by an afternoon programme called Excellence in Healthcare with speakers including Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, former medical director of NHS England.

The day will conclude with an awards evening at the Park Plaza Westminster Hotel.

Lead Papillon clinician at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Professor Arthur Sun Myint said: “The whole team are honoured to be shortlisted for this very highly regarded award.

“Patient care is at the centre of everything we do. For 25 years we have been offering an alternative to surgery and a stoma for our patients.

“As demand grows for Papillon treatment, we are also helping to educate and train clinicians to provide a wider service in the UK and beyond.”

Papillon is recommended for patients who are not fit enough for general anaesthesia or those who want to avoid major surgery.

It is low energy contact radiotherapy delivered to the tumour via a treatment tube.

Another benefit is that it avoids the need for patients to have surgery which can result in them requiring a temporary or permanent stoma (colostomy bag).

The submission from the Papillon team laid out the aim of the service, to reduce surgical mortality and stoma rates in elderly patients with rectal cancer by proposing a change from surgery to minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment using low energy X-rays known as Papillon X-ray brachytherapy.

It also highlighted achievements including recommendation in 2015 by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and a survey, carried out by NICE, that showed a high level of patient satisfaction, including the avoidance of stoma and quality of life.

The Papillon Suite at Clatterbridge celebrates 25 years since it was established and staff have treated 1,450 patients with rectal cancer.

Professor Sun Myint introduced the technique to Clatterbridge and the United Kingdom in 1993 after going to France to meet Professor Jean Papillon who devised the life changing technique.

There are only four hospitals in the UK offering this innovative service and 15 around the world.