Inaugural meeting of Cross-Party Group on Brain Tumours

Brain Tumour Research

3 min read

In the Scottish Parliament yesterday (Tuesday 8^th October), the inaugural meeting of the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Brain Tumours was held, with Brain Tumour Research providing the secretariat to the Group.

The well-attended session was expertly chaired by Deputy Convener Finlay Carson MSP. Those present included Deputy Convener Colin Smyth MSP, Deputy Convener Ben Macpherson MSP, Alexander Stewart MSP, and Rachael Hamilton MSP. There were also a good number of charity and patient representatives present, as well as experts in the field of brain tumours.

Finlay Carson MSP began by reading a message from the Group’s Convener, Beatrice Wishart MSP, which stated the Group’s aims: “The formation of this CPG is about working together so that improvements can be made in research, diagnosis, and treatment for various types of brain tumours that affect too many, predominantly young, people.”

In her message to the Group, Ms Wishart emphasised the importance of the CPG: “I spoke recently with a constituent that has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and told him about the newly formed CPG. He was encouraged to learn about it, and said it gave him hope for the future.”

We heard an update from the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto MSP, on the work of the Scottish Government in this area, who then took questions from MSPs. The Minister acknowledged that the survival rates for brain tumours are too low, and that the nature of brain tumours means that it is a less recognisable disease, leading to issues with diagnosis. Ms Minto ended by saying that we need better treatments for patients and that they need to be accessible to all.

Professor Steve Pollard, from the University of Edinburgh, was hopeful that AI, genomics, and immunotherapies could all play an important part in improving outcomes. But his message was clear: “Much more research is needed. Decades of quality research into leukaemia and breast cancer are paying off, and we are seeing improved outcomes. We also need to see the same for brain tumours.”

Mr Carson closed the meeting by stating that the CPG would not be a “talking shop” but needed to “add value” by looking at everyday issues affecting those with lived experience.

Our Policy and Public Affairs Manager Thomas Brayford said: “The success of this Cross-Party Group on Brain Tumours very much depends on the support it receives from MSPs, industry, the scientific community, charities, and those with lived experience. Let’s work together to move things in the right direction.”