Manchester cancer researcher recognised in King’s Birthday Honours 2026

Professor Gareth Evans is an Emeritus Professor of Medical Genetics at The University of Manchester and Consultant in Medical Genetics at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).

He led the Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Theme at the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Manchester from its inception in 2017 to when he retired in 2025.

With a national and international reputation in clinical and research aspects of cancer genetics, his work has made a significant contribution to advancing understanding, diagnosis and care in inherited cancer, benefiting patients and families in the UK and beyond.

I’m very honoured to be mentioned in the King’s birthday honours. It’s the culmination of 36 years of work on inherited cancers and I’m extremely pleased. In particular to have my work on breast and ovarian cancer and the BRCA1/2 genes recognised and my setting of a national highly specialised service for patients with NF2 related schwannomatosis.

^{Professor Gareth Evans}

Professor Evans has undertaken landmark genetic epidemiological research and developed algorithms to determine personalised cancer risks, leading to services and policies that widened access to testing and preventive treatments, which has saved hundreds of lives and informed thousands of women about their BRCA gene risks.

He developed a comprehensive NHS clinical cancer genetic service in Manchester, which became a widely recognised exemplar and a model adopted by other UK regions, as well as a national training programme for clinicians, nurses and genetic counsellors in breast cancer genetics.

Professor Evans has published more than 1,100 peer-reviewed research publications and is an Emeritus NIHR Senior Investigator.

With funding from the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Manchester, in recent years some of Professor Evans’ research has:

• Improved the accuracy of a predictive breast cancer genetic test for Ashkenazi Jewish women
• Identified a system that can detect more breast cancer patients eligible for testing for cancer risk genes
• Shown women are at lower risk of developing breast cancer after an ovarian cancer diagnosis

Professor Evans also established a national highly specialised service for NF2-related schwannomatosis, a rare genetic condition where non-cancerous tumours grow on nerves in the brain, inner ear and spinal cord. His research in NF2 has contributed to national and international recommendations for follow-up and treatment that have improved patient survival and quality of life.

Professor Anne Barton, Director of Research and Innovation at MFT and Director of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Manchester said: “Huge congratulations to Professor Gareth Evans on this richly deserved Honour for his services to advancing cancer genetics. His work has undoubtedly benefitted so many people across the world and, although he has retired from his BRC role, his legacy lives on in much of the research we do.”

The birthday honours are awarded by the King following recommendations by the prime minister, senior government ministers, or members of the public.

The awards recognise active community champions, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, passionate health workers and dedicated volunteers who have made significant achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.