[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Evans, Bill edited.jpg” caption=”Dr. Bill Evans will assume the role of acting chair of the new Department of Oncology.”]A new Department of Oncology will enhance McMaster's strength in cancer research and education and facilitate laboratory-based and clinical research interactions across departments, schools and faculties.

The new department was officially launched today at the Juravinski Cancer Centre.

Cancer poses a huge burden to society and this burden is projected to increase significantly over the next two to three decades as the population ages. One in three Canadians can expect to develop cancer in their lifetime.

The new department will also provide a rich training ground for both oncology health professionals as well as a broad range of health disciplines that would benefit from exposure to a multidisciplinary cancer focused environment, including medical and radiation oncology, nursing radiation therapy, surgical oncology, rehabilitation medicine and family medicine.

“McMaster oncology experts and students are already engaged in a wide range of cancer-related research and education. The new department of oncology will collect and focus our expertise,” said Peter George, president and vice-chancellor, McMaster University. “It will have a powerful and lasting impact on our combined ability to conduct world-leading cancer research and to educate the brightest young medical minds working in cancer care and treatment.”

Dr. Bill Evans, president of the Juravinski Cancer Centre and integrated vice-president for oncology services at Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph's Healthcare, will assume the role of acting chair of the new department.

“The department will be a catalyst to bring researchers and care providers into a new dialogue to advance our knowledge of the causes of cancer and better strategies to control cancer,” said Evans.

The divisions of medical oncology and radiation oncology previously under the Department of Medicine are now aligned within the new department of Oncology, and there will opportunity for cross-appointments within other disciplines.