Professor Randall Payne Morton presented his Semon Lecture in 2009. This lecture looks at the importance of considering quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer. Morton highlights the fact that there is a difference between the patient’s view of their quality of life and their doctor’s view and states that it is important that doctors understand this and make sure that they discuss this with the patient, so that their treatment and subsequent change in quality of life is in line with their expectations.
Randall Morton was born on the 6th of November 1947 in Cowell, South Australia, Australia. Morton has had a successful career as a head and neck surgeon, being recognised internationally not only through the number of eponymous lectures he has given, such as the Robert Owen Lecture in Wales, but also through the accolades he has been awarded, including full membership of the American Triological Society. Nationally, he has been President of a number of societies, including Asia-Oceania Association of Otolaryngology Societies and the Australia and New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society.