A leading cancer surgeon has thanked Marina Dalglish for a charitable donation of £75,000 which has been used to buy a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine.

Professor Terry Jones, Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT), said the donation from the Marina Dalglish Appeal is helping people in the region to receive diagnostic results more quickly.

Prof Jones is also Director of the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre, a collaboration between LUHFT, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Liverpool.

He said: “Our new ultrasound machine is being used as part of a rapid diagnosis service at Aintree University Hospital. Time is of the essence when it comes to diagnosing and starting treatment with any cancer, so I’d like to thank Marina for this generous donation which has made a real difference to the experience of patients in our region.”

It is hoped the donation is the start of a new partnership between Liverpool Head and Neck Centre and the Marina Dalglish Appeal.

Marina set up the appeal in 2005 after being successfully treated for breast cancer two years earlier at Aintree University Hospital. Over the years the appeal has made charitable donations which have benefitted cancer patients at Aintree, Broadgreen Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Together with her husband, Liverpool FC legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, she recently visited the team at Aintree to see the ultrasound machine in action and meet some of the surgical and radiology staff who work together to diagnose and treat patients with head and neck cancer.

Marina said: “I know first-hand what a fantastic job the team at Aintree University Hospital do and the Liverpool Head and Neck Centre is doing really important work to tackle some of the most complex cancers there are. I’m delighted that, through the appeal, we have been able to support the purchase of an additional ultrasound machine that is helping people to get diagnosed more quickly.”

Around 12,000 new cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK. While it is a relatively uncommon type of cancer, there are more than 30 areas within the head and neck where cancer can develop.

People who smoke or drink regularly are more at risk of head and neck cancers. The main symptoms to look out for include persistent swollen neck gland, hoarse voice, mouth ulcer lasting more than four weeks or throat pain and difficulty swallowing.

Anyone with concerning symptoms should contact their GP.