A WIRRAL oncologist who has dedicated his career to treating patients with rectal cancer has been awarded a prestigious lifetime achievement award. 

Professor Arthur Sun Myint - lead Clinician at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre's Papillon Suite - is only the sixth British doctor to receive the ESTRO (European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology) award in its 13 years.

After a visit to Lyon in 1992 to study contact x-ray brachytherapy known as Papillion, which was named after the French Professor, Jean Papillon, who popularised this treatment, Professor Myint introduced the treatment technique for rectal cancer to the UK at Clattebridge.

Since 1993, more than 2000 patients have been treated at the centre, the largest cohort of patients treated by this technique in the world.

Professor Sun Myint he was "very pleased to receive this ESTRO life time achievement award.

"It's recognition of my hard work over the past 40 years working as an oncologist in the UK and developing this innovative technique for the benefit of my patients, who are not suitable for surgery nor satisfied to live with a stoma.

"This award represents my lifetime work on rectal cancer, which I devoted my research interest on.

"In addition, I also try to establish my patients’ rights for their treatment. Our patients are our equal partners and we should include them in shared decision making.

"We should work with them to allow them to make the choice for the treatment which they can accept and not insists on what we as clinicians consider to be the best treatment for them”.

For the past 27 years, Professor Sun Myint has treated patients with rectal cancer using Papillon techniques, especially those in the early stages of the disease and in patients who are not suitable for surgery.

This treatment avoids invasive surgery and the need for a stoma bag for the rest of their lives.

He also organises training for clinicians around the world together with his mentor Prof Jean Pierre Gerard.

There are now 15 centres around Europe offering this treatment to local patients; four centres in the UK and 11 centres on the continent. More centres in Europe, Australia and USA are due to open shortly.

Congratulating Professor Sun Myint on his award, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre's chief executive, Liz Bishop said: "His dedication to his patients and to the development of an effective treatment for rectal cancer is undeniable and I'm delighted that he’s been recognised by ESTRO with this prestigious award.

"I'd like to congratulate him on behalf of all his colleagues at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and thank him for his years of commitment to the safe care of his patients."