MP welcomes Government action on brain cancer following Hemel constituent’s campaign
David Taylor, MP for Hemel Hempstead, has welcomed new Government action to speed up brain cancer research and treatment, following his letter to the Health Secretary on behalf of Hemel resident Sally Penny.
Last month, Mr Taylor met Sally in Parliament. Sally is living with incurable brain cancer and campaigns with Brain Cancer Justice to improve treatment options and outcomes for future patients.
Brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 in the UK, yet it has received only around 1% of national cancer research funding. Mr Taylor wrote to the Health Secretary, the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, urging action.
The Government has since announced a package of measures to get more trials under way, bring new treatments to patients faster and strengthen the UK’s role in brain cancer research. These include:
Faster review of the rules on rare cancer medicines, to help promising treatments reach patients sooner
An immediate expert review of progress since 2018, reporting within three months, followed by a national action plan
A new national brain cancer clinical lead, appointed by the Department of Health and Social Care
A drive to increase participation in clinical trials, designed with patients, families and charities
A partnership between the Department of Health and Social Care and Cancer Research UK to promote the UK as a world leader in brain cancer research
Mr Taylor had specifically called for the appointment of a national brain cancer lead in his letter to the Health Secretary.
The MP said: “Behind every campaign in Parliament is a personal story that drives it. Sally has turned her own incredibly difficult experience into a powerful campaign for change, and I am proud to support her and Brain Cancer Justice.
“This announcement is an important step forward, particularly the appointment of a national brain cancer clinical lead, which was one of our key asks. Now the focus must be on delivery: more trials, faster access to new treatments and sustained investment in research so that future patients have real hope.”
Sally said: “Seeing the Government take these important steps forward gives real hope to people like me living with brain cancer, and to the families who will face this devastating diagnosis in the future.
"I’m particularly grateful to David Taylor for writing to the Health Secretary on my behalf. His support added further pressure for action at a crucial moment, and I’m delighted to see one of our key asks — the appointment of a national brain cancer clinical lead — included in the Government’s plans.
"We need sustained investment in research, more clinical trials and faster access to new treatments, so that future brain cancer patients have more options and better outcomes than those available today.”