Cancer Minister, Sharon Hodgson MP, has told brain tumour patients and their loved ones that the Government “will make the UK a global leader in clinical research” after hearing their stories in Westminster.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours (APPGBT) - for which Brain Tumour Research provides the secretariat - convened on Tuesday. Joined by MPs from all political parties including, Oliver Ryan (Labour), Greg Smith (Conservative) and Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat), the agenda focused on the Government’s priorities for cancer care and research.
Attending the meeting, Sharon Hodgson MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department of Health and Social Care, was posed questions about barriers to accessing clinical trials, poor standards of care, lack of treatment options and inequity in research across cancers. Many attendees emphasised the appalling fact that just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.
Raising the issue of a postcode lottery, some patients expressed frustrations about having to travel far distances for chemotherapy and radiotherapy – causing additional difficulty for brain tumour patients. In addition, patients raised how specific treatments are only available in Germany and the USA and come at a great expense. Minister Hodgson was urged to facilitate international collaboration and push the Government to make sure new treatment options aren't held up by the regulatory system and can be accessed by UK patients as quickly as possible.
Addressing attendees, Minister Hodgson acknowledged calls for faster diagnosis and treatment, improved survival, and better support. She said: "Rare and less common cancers, including brain tumours, are a priority for this government. We know that one of the most effective ways to improve survival from cancer is to catch it early and treat it quickly. For all patients diagnosed with rare cancers, we will prioritise access to specialist treatment and to multi-disciplinary teams, to ensure they will benefit from the best evidence-based care.”
She emphasised a commitment to work with charities to support rare cancer patients and ensure they have access to the right information to manage their cancer care, adding: “To hold us accountable across these commitments, and to drive forward progress for rare cancer patients, we are appointing a National Clinical Lead for Rare Cancers. As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan, we will make the UK a global leader in clinical research. This underlines our commitment to deliver for rare cancer patients and give all patients access to a clinical trial if they want one.”
Sharon Hodgson MP (centre) with Dame Siobhain McDonagh to her right and Lord Polak to her left
Dr Karen Noble, our Director of Research and Policy, said: “Having Minister Hodgson join the APPGBT meeting and make time for our work demonstrates her commitment to driving change. What is clear from discussions is the need for a National Rare and Less Common Cancers Lead to be appointed as soon as possible , the importance of data management and access to whole genome sequencing, and the urgent need to prioritise research funding. We will continue influencing policymakers and advocating to improve patient outcomes, and standing together as a brain tumour community to hold the Government to account. That is how we will change the story for people affected by this devastating disease.”
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