Brain Tumour Research, along with The Brain Tumour Charity, brainstrust, OurBrainBank and Professor Kathreena Kurian, Professor of Neuropathology, University of Bristol, has written to Cancer Minister Sharon Hodgson MP to seek clarity on how the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) will be deploying the necessary infrastructure to fulfil National Cancer Plan commitments on genomic testing.
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is vital for accessing precision treatments and clinical trials, and the Government has committed to offering WGS to all brain tumour patients. However, a report commissioned by the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission, Closing the Gap, estimates that less than 5% of adult patients with a brain tumour were receiving whole genome sequencing. This demonstrates that progress has been limited and reinforces the need to ensure that infrastructure and funding are properly aligned to deliver on these longstanding commitments.
Our letter highlights the commitment set out in the National Cancer Plan that every cancer patient who would benefit from a genomic test will receive a test and within a clinically relevant timeframe.
Dr Karen Noble, our Director of Research, Policy and Innovation, said: “By collaborating with advocates from the brain tumour community, we are pursuing a response that demonstrates change. We’re calling on Minister Hodgson to ensure necessary infrastructure is in place to meet genomic testing commitments and speed up progress. Every day, 35 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour. Patients cannot afford to wait. Government must be held accountable and deliver at pace – and patients' needs must be prioritised.”
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