main behavioural scientist in the field of cancer preventionJane Wardle,who has died aged 64 from cancer, was an outstanding behavioural scientist in the field of cancer prevention. Alongside the clinical gifts of empathy (sensitivity to another's feelings as if they were one's own), or listening and insight into human motives,she had a rigorous, quantitative approach to research. She made major contributions to screening, or early diagnosis and survivorship – maximising the chances of helpful longterm outcomes – in the process taking behavioural prevention from a somewhat marginal position to the very heart of Cancer Research UK’s activities. Her contribution went far beyond her studies – she trained a generation of behavioural scientists and helped to transform the field in a way that will bear an enduring impact.
Jane saw that effective cancer prevention needs both a science of what drives behaviour (for example,the control of food intake) and then well-designed interventions to expend that understanding to help change behaviour to reduce cancer risk. She made important contributions at both levels.
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Source: theguardian.com