Swimmer Archie Goodburn urges PM Burnham to boost brain tumour research funding

Mixed · 2Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn, now 25, made an emotional appeal to Prime Minister Andy Burnham for more action on brain tumours, and Burnham responded by inviting Goodburn to meet him. 1 2 Mixed · 2Goodburn was diagnosed at 22 with three inoperable oligodendrogliomas, a type of brain tumour. 1 2 Mixed · 2Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Goodburn said trials around the world are not being seen in the UK, calling this "unfair and unjust", and asked Burnham to establish a national brain cancer lead. The Mirror dates the plea to August. 2 1

Centre · 1Ahead of the meeting, an open letter organised by the charity Brain Tumour Research and signed by leading scientists and doctors called for a "step change" in government funding. It warned that the National Cancer Plan for England's goal of moving Britain into the top quartile of European countries for five-year survival by 2035 "will never be met" for brain tumours without substantial additional investment. 2 Mixed · 2Brain Tumour Research said 74% of brain tumour research funding comes from the charity sector and 26% from government. It said £26.2 million was invested in 2023-24, of which £6.8 million came from government. The Standard reports that just 1% of national cancer research funding went to brain tumours between 2002 and 2021, while the Mirror says "one and two per cent". 2 1 Mixed · 2The Mirror says about 13,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour each year, only 12.9 per cent of adults in England live five years or more, and brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer deaths in children and adults under 40 in the UK. Brain Tumour Research likewise calls them the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40. 1 2

Centre · 1Dr Karen Noble of Brain Tumour Research welcomed "political momentum" and increased investment through the National Cancer Plan, the NIHR Consortium and the Rare Cancers Act. She said government needs to match or exceed charity investment. 2 Mixed · 2A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the National Cancer Plan is bringing faster access to clinical trials, a new national clinical lead for rare cancers and a rapid brain tumour test. The spokesperson added that the Prime Minister and Health Secretary are continuing to engage with campaigners and clinicians on what more can be done. Health minister Preet Kaur Gill said in June that £45.2 million has been spent on brain cancer and tumour research since a 2018 government pledge. 2 1 Left · 1The Mirror pairs the campaign with patient stories. James Mann, a police officer, died on 30 January this year, 12 weeks after being diagnosed with H3K27 midline glioma. Sally Penny, 43, who has the same tumour type as Goodburn, takes vorasidenib, a drug approved for NHS use in England. Penny and Goodburn are members of Brain Cancer Justice, which campaigns for a national brain cancer lead, patients' right to try new treatments via trials, and more research funding. 1

Left · 1Cameron Miller of The Brain Tumour Charity said it is vital the Prime Minister hears first-hand from affected people and that the charity will keep pushing for commitments that incentivise research and improve access to clinical trials. 1