Brain Tumour Research this week held a milestone event at the Scottish Parliament.
At First Minister’s Questions, Beatrice Wishart MSP urged the First Minister, Humza Yousaf, and the Scottish Government to fund more research into brain tumours, the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40.
First Minister’s Questions was followed by a Brain Tumour Awareness Month and Wear A Hat Day photocall, which was attended by all the leaders of the main political parties in Scotland.
Brain Tumour Research spoke to the First Minister (pictured below with Beatrice Wishart MSP) who said: “For me, as First Minister of Scotland, it is absolutely vital we raise awareness of brain tumours because we know how many people can be impacted.”
We also discussed the urgent need for more research as this is the pathway to developing the new therapeutics that are so desperately needed.
The Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care Neil Gray and the Minister for Public Health and Women's Health Jenni Minto attended the Brain Tumour Awareness reception that followed the photocall. The discussions focused on making brain tumours a clinical and strategic priority, improving access to tissue and imaging, and developing the capacity of the Scottish clinical brain tumour research community.
The Health Minister agreed to a future meeting, to further discuss these matters.
Shadow Health Minister Paul Sweeney joined the event and said: “Improving the survival of brain tumours must be made a priority now.”
At the reception, around 60 Scottish supporters heard the personal stories of Ms Wishart and of our Patron Theo Burrell.
We also heard from Professor Steve Pollard from the University of Edinburgh and Dr Joanna Birch from the University of Glasgow who both spoke about the unique challenges of brain cancer.
Professor Pollard said: “The fundamental science has not progressed to novel therapies. We need more novel approaches and bespoke therapies.”
Dr Birch also focused on the future challenges. “We need to expand our discovery science programme to develop novel therapies for brain tumours. And importantly, we need to train the next generation of research leaders to provide continuity of excellence.”
Our Policy and Public Affairs Manager Thomas Brayford said: “This was an important day for the brain tumour community in Scotland. Our message to Scottish politicians is simple. More research into brain tumours will result in better patient outcomes. We look forward to working with elected Scottish representatives to ensure this is made possible.”
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