Brain Tumour Research has joined more than 60 charities outside Parliament as part of the One Cancer Voice (OCV) coalition, calling on the Government to ensure its forthcoming National Cancer Plan delivers on promises of world-leading action against cancer.
On the day, charity representatives – including Brain Tumour Research – held up personalised jigsaw pieces to highlight the urgent need for Government action. The stunt carried a clear message: the “missing piece of the jigsaw” is a plan that turns commitments into action, ensuring earlier diagnoses, better outcomes and fairer access to life-saving treatment for everyone.
Campaigners warned that cancer services are already under immense strain and that urgent action is needed. By 2040, someone in England will be diagnosed with cancer every two minutes, with more than 6.3 million new cases expected.
For the brain tumour community, the situation is especially urgent. Brain tumours remain the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40, with survival rates decades behind those for other cancers. By 2040, around 180,000 more people are expected to be diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumour.
Earlier this year, Brain Tumour Research submitted an evidence-led response to the Department of Health and Social Care’s Call for Evidence, reflecting patient experience and expert research insights. The charity set out five priorities:
- Doubling research funding to £20 million in 2025 and £35 million by 2029
- Building a sustainable research ecosystem with support for early-career scientists
- Expanding clinical trial access, including basket trials and drug repurposing
- Embedding brain tumours in all national cancer initiatives
- Stronger Government leadership across departments to prioritise research into brain tumours and ensure long-term progress
We also called for better access to life-extending treatments, including wider use of whole genome sequencing, investment in precision medicine, and new NHS roles to coordinate testing and treatment.
The OCV rally showed the scale of demand for change and we were proud to be a part of it. What’s needed now is clear action from Government – so that research is properly funded, treatments are improved, and patients and families are given the hope they deserve.
Click here to keep updated on our campaigning activities.
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