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Our Work in Parliament
Just 1% of national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours
Engaging your Member of Parliament
Have you ever thought of meeting with your local MP? We know it works. MPs who have actually met constituents with a brain tumour story are far more likely to support our cause.
Although MPs are important people, don’t be daunted by the thought of meeting them. After all, MPs are only human and they’re there to help. If you’re interested in setting up a meeting with your MP, we have some handy tips below to make things easier for you.
Task and Finish Working Group on brain tumour research
In February 2018, a Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) Task and Finish Working Group, which was established following an unprecedented e-petition where 120,129 signatories demanded more investment in brain tumour research, published its conclusions.
Chaired by Professor Chris Whitty, the DHSC Chief Scientific Adviser, and including clinicians, charities, other officials and a patient carer, the Working Group closely analysed the complex issues around research into brain tumours in the UK.
Summary of the Task and Finish Working Group conclusions:
- Dedicated brain tumour research centres are an effective way of expanding and developing research capacity and capability.
- The current processes for collection, storage and sharing of brain tumour tissue, blood samples and clinical data are not optimal for the latest research requirements.
- Appropriate drugs, originally developed for other conditions but with potential for the effective treatment of brain tumours, should be ‘re-purposed’ where the evidence supports it.
- Sub–speciality training for neuro-oncology should be included in the curriculum and appropriate time should be ring-fenced to allow consultants to carry out research.
- Funders should highlight that applications focused on brain tumour research are particularly welcome. These include studies on the development of pre-clinical models, tumour detection, radiotherapy, surgery, drug development, and clinical trials.
- The UK tumour and neurosciences research communities should work together to explore opportunities for research collaborations.
- Patient health data, with the appropriate permission, should be available for use in research to accelerate the development of new treatments.
- More coordination and cooperation within the brain tumour research community is essential to accelerate progress in the field.
The Working Group was established by the then Minister for Life Sciences, George Freeman MP during an April 2016 Parliamentary debate that saw over 70 MPs gather to discuss brain tumours.
This debate only took place thanks to the efforts of the brain tumour community, particularly Brain Tumour Research activists the Realf family. Stephen Realf, who tragically passed away in August 2014, was the inspiration for the successful e-petition calling for more brain tumour research funding.
Launched by his parents, Liz and Peter and his sister Maria Lester, the e-petition quickly attracted 120,129 signatures, prompting politicians to finally examine the topic of brain tumours, which have been neglected by successive Governments for decades.
Parliamentary Petitions
Brain Tumour Research uses Parliamentary e-petitions as an opportunity for our supporters and activists to be heard by Government and Parliament. We only work with the official UK Parliamentary petitions as these are the only petitions that the Government formally recognise and to which they are required to respond.
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