Marina Dalglish Appeal funds £75k ultrasound machine to enable rapid cancer diagnosis

A state-of-the art ultrasound machine bought through a £75,000 donation from the Marina Dalglish Appeal is enabling rapid diagnosis for cancer patients across Merseyside.

The machine is being used at Aintree University Hospital to help diagnose and treat patients with head and neck cancer.

Marina Dalglish and her husband Liverpool FC legend Sir Kenny Dalglish recently visited the team at Aintree to see the ultrasound machine in action.

They couple also met some of the surgical and radiology staff who work together to diagnose and treat patients with cancer.

Benefits for cancer patients

Terry Jones, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT), said the donation is helping people in the region to receive results more quickly.

Professor Jones said: “Time is of the essence when it comes to diagnosing and starting treatment with any cancer, so I’d like to thank Marina for this generous donation which has made a real difference to the experience of patients in our region.”

The Marina Dalglish Appeal

Mrs Dalglish set up her charity after being successfully treated for breast cancer two years earlier at Aintree University Hospital.

Over the years the appeal, which helps cancer sufferers and their families, has made charitable donations which have hecancer patients at Aintree, Broadgreen Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

She said: “I know first-hand what a fantastic job the team at Aintree University Hospital do and the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre is doing really important work to tackle some of the most complex cancers there are.

“I’m delighted that, through the appeal, we have been able to support the purchase of an additional ultrasound machine that is helping people to get diagnosed more quickly.”

It is hoped the donation is the start of a new partnership between Liverpool Head and Neck Centre and the Marina Dalglish Appeal.

Rare type of cancer

Around 12,000 new cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK. While it is a relatively uncommon type of cancer, there are more than 30 areas within the head and neck where cancer can develop.

People who smoke or drink regularly are more at risk of head and neck cancers.

The main symptoms to look out for include persistent swollen neck gland, hoarse voice, mouth ulcer lasting more than four weeks or throat pain and difficulty swallowing.

Anyone with concerning symptoms should contact their GP.