Dr David Gilligan

David Gilligan is senior medical editor at Macmillan for information about lung cancer and radiotherapy. He trained at the Christie Hospital, Manchester, Royal Marsden Hospital, and University College Hospitals, London.

He is a Consultant Oncologist at Cambridge University Hospitals & Royal Papworth Hospitals, and an Affiliated Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge. His main clinical interests are in thoracic oncology (cancers of the chest area). He is involved in several clinical trials and has a keen interest in patient engagement and patient information.

He currently sits on NHS England Lung Cancer Clinical Expert Group (CEG). He has been a member of British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG) Steering Committee since May 2017. He was an auditor and inspector to the European Organisation of Cancer Institutes (OECI) from 2018 to 2022.

Lung cancer

The lungs are the parts of the body that we use to breathe. Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. This is a thin lining (membrane) that covers the outer surface of many organs in the body.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays call radiation to treat cancer. It destroys cancer cells in the area where the radiotherapy is given.