Launching a green paper titled 'Prevention is better than cure', Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock delivered a keynote speech to the International Association of National Public Health Institutes yesterday (5th November), outlining his vision to help people take greater responsibility for managing their own health.
“It’s about people choosing to look after themselves better,” he said.
There is much to be praised for a preventative strategy. However, for the brain tumour community this strategy is of little relevance.
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. There is no conclusive evidence of any lifestyle factors that would preclude someone being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
For decades, research into brain tumours has been largely ignored by those who make decisions about health spending and, like many others, this policy directive will mean little to those affected by this devastating disease.
Whilst we welcome this latest health-risk prevention strategy, we will of course continue to work hard to keep the issues surrounding brain tumours in the minds of politicians and health experts and other key influencers.