Top cancer expert to be honoured as city legend

Professor Barry Hancock's blue plaque is now set to join those of Jarvis Cocker, Sebastian Coe, Michael Palin, Sean Bean and Def Leppard outside the Town Hall.

Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Graham Oxley, said: "Barry Hancock is known and loved by all his patients and colleagues, and he won worldwide respect and numerous accolades for his tireless work against cancer.

"There were many very worthy nominations for this year's honour, but he truly deserves to become a Sheffield Legend as he is one of the most respected practitioners in this essential area of work."

Professor Hancock was born in London and decided to dedicate his life to working in healthcare after undergoing many operations on his ears as a young boy.

He studied medicine at Sheffield University and graduated in 1969, qualifying top of his year. Within a week of leaving university he was working as a House Officer at Sheffield Royal Infirmary.

For five years he trained in general medicine, but after treating a very ill teenager he decided to specialise in cancer.

Since then Professor Hancock has risen to be one of the world's leading experts in the field. He has become an expert in lymphoma, gestational trophoblastic disease and biological therapy, has authored or edited eight books and received an OBE for services to medicine last year.

Professor Hancock recently retired as Professor of Clinical Oncology at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: "Since I first came to Sheffield in 1964, I have been in love with the city and its people, and I am delighted and very honoured to accept this Sheffield Legends award."

Sheffield Legends are nominated by members of the public and all have a strong connection with Sheffield, either being born in the city or having lived there for many years.