Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet the national investment in brain tumour research still represents just 1% of brain tumour funding since records began in 2002.
The Government should recognise brain tumour research as a critical priority, developing a strategic plan for adequately resourcing and funding discovery, translational and clinical research, ring-fencing £110 million of current and new funding to kick-start this initiative.
This should lead to an annual research investment of more than £35 million a year by 2028 from the Government and larger charities in line with the spend on cancers of breast, bowel and lung, as well as leukaemia.
For too long governments have put brain tumours on the “too difficult to think about” pile. Five years after the Government announced £40 million for brain cancer research, just £15 million has been spent.
Patients and families continue to be let down by a funding system that is built in silos and not fit for purpose. There needs to be a strategic plan using joined up thinking across the pathway of discovery, translational and clinical research.
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