Cancer Special Interest Group (CSIG)

Group leaders

Chair: Dr Rachel Tarling, Associate Professor in Health Psychology

Deputy chair: Dr Hannah C. Doughty, Senior Lecturer

Our group brings together multidisciplinary researchers focused on improving outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer, with a strong commitment to addressing health inequalities across diverse populations.

Our work spans cancer prevention, screening, survivorship and quality of life, with particular emphasis on the psychological and behavioural impact of cancer and long-term conditions. We develop and evaluate complex, evidence-based behaviour change interventions to support health-related behaviours, including physical activity, cancer screening uptake and self-management of long-term conditions.

Our group has research strengths in cancer chemoprevention, including the study of synthetic and natural compounds that activate cellular defence mechanisms to reduce DNA damage, as well as the use of biomarkers in cancer prevention and early detection. We also explore the real-world challenges faced by patients navigating complex treatment pathways, aiming to improve healthcare delivery and patient experience through psychologically informed, patient-centred approaches.

Research themes 

• Reducing health inequalities in cancer prevention, care and survivorship.
• Cancer prevention and screening, including uptake and early detection.
• Psychological and behavioural impacts of cancer.
• Development of complex, evidence-based behaviour change interventions.
• Physical activity and self-management to support quality of life.
• Cancer chemoprevention, including synthetic and natural compounds and biomarkers.

Collaborators

We are committed to working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure our research achieves meaningful and lasting impact. We have strong partnerships with Liverpool Health Partners, the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre, and the University of Liverpool. A central element of our work is close collaboration with patients and the public, ensuring our research is centred around lived experience and patient priorities. We work alongside patient and public partners throughout our research process, and we have strong links with the Patient Research Forum at the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre.

Research impact

Improving head and neck cancer care through behaviour change and participatory art

Head and neck cancer can have profound physical, psychological and social effects. Research being conducted in head and neck cancer combines behavioural science with participatory arts-based approaches to improve understanding of these experiences and support more holistic, patient-centred cancer care.

The behavioural research examines physical activity promotion and participation among people living with and beyond head and neck cancer. It has identified limited awareness among patients of the benefits of physical activity, concerns among family members and healthcare professionals about possible harm, and the need to embed evidence-based behaviour change support within routine care.

This research also uses participatory art to explore emotional and subjective experiences that can be difficult to capture through traditional research methods. People with lived experience of head and neck cancer are paired with local artists to co-create artworks that communicate aspects of diagnosis, treatment and life beyond cancer. This work is supported by £20,000 from North West Cancer Research for its initial research set-up, artist payments, materials and dissemination.

Together, this programme of research combines evidence, lived experience and creative collaboration to make the physical, emotional and social dimensions of head and neck cancer more visible. The co-created artworks and accompanying narratives are intended to support public engagement, healthcare professional training and wider awareness, while informing more holistic communication and care.

Contact Us

If you are interested in working with us on a collaborative project, or are interested in MPhil/PhD research opportunities, please get in touch.

Contact the group leaders: Dr Rachel Tarling and Dr Hannah Doughty.