Say what you like about Andy Burnham, but today he met with Scottish swimmer, Archie Goodburn to set out a framework outlining how people living with brain cancer will get faster routes from research to trials and treatments.
Archie himself has an inoperable brain tumour and you may have seen his emotionally charged plea, on Breakfast TV, to the Prime Minister some weeks ago to take action on brain tumours.
You can read the Government’s full press release here however the 4 main steps announced are
- An immediate expert review, led by Professor Anthony Chalmers, Chair of the Brain Tumour Group within the UK Collaborative for Cancer Clinical Research, reporting within three months. Leading brain cancer experts will assess what has changed for patients since a 2018 government review, and what is still holding progress back.
- A national action plan to follow. The review’s findings will shape a plan to get new treatments out of the lab and to patients faster.
- A new national brain cancer clinical lead to drive this work forward, appointed by the Department of Health and Social Care.
- The Prime Minister has asked the MHRA to complete its review of the rules for medicines that treat rare conditions – known as orphan drugs – in two years rather than three. Bringing forward any changes to these rules could help patients get promising new treatments sooner.
This is a significant step for the Brain Tumour Community, and hats off to Archie and everyone that has lobbied for this for making it happen.
It’s up to all of us now to make the most out of this, and Headcase Cancer Trust will play its part on behalf of all of our supporters.
The Future Gets Written Today!
Photo credit: Hannah Mckay/Pool Photo via AP
