Neurolase: Making brain tumour surgery safer through the Cancer Tech Accelerator
As part of the Cancer Tech Accelerator, we’ve awarded Neurolase £50,000 to advance a laser-based tool that could help make brain tumour surgery more precise. The post Neurolase: Making brain tumour surgery safer through the Cancer Tech Accelerator appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
The Cancer Tech Accelerator (CTA) supports projects that enhance cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. It is helping to ensure that promising ideas and innovations can benefit people with cancer as soon as possible. Of the five projects awarded funding through the CTA in 2025, three focus on brain tumours. This includes a project funded by us and a further two projects funded by Cancer Research Horizons. See the full list here Improving brain tumour surgery As part of the CTA, we’ve awarded Neurolase £50,000 to help develop a device that could improve the safety and effectiveness of brain tumour surgery. The medtech company’s promising, non-invasive approach combines Artificial Intelligence (AI ) and laser light to help surgeons distinguish between healthy tissue and tumour tissue. Removing more tumour tissue is associated with increased survival and a reduced risk of the tumour coming back. Improved symptoms and quality of life are also possible due to healthy brain tissue not being unnecessarily removed. How does Neurolase’s technology work? Neurolase has developed a handheld device – shaped like a pen – for use during surgery. It is easy to use and requires minimal training. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1542" height="2056" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5628-1-1542x2056.jpeg" alt="Dr Babar Vaqas demonstrating how the Neurolase probe can be used on a model brain " class="wp-image-56041" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5628-1-1542x2056.jpeg 1542w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5628-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5628-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5628-1-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5628-1-1568x2091.jpeg 1568w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5628-1-scaled.jpeg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1542px) 100vw, 1542px" /> Dr Babar Vaqas with the Neurolase probe <img decoding="async" width="1542" height="2056" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5624-1-1542x2056.jpeg" alt="Dr Babar Vaqas and Monika Kott" class="wp-image-56040" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5624-1-1542x2056.jpeg 1542w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5624-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5624-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5624-1-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5624-1-1568x2091.jpeg 1568w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/02/IMG_5624-1-scaled.jpeg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1542px) 100vw, 1542px" /> Dr Babar Vaqas and Monika Kott, the founding team of Neurolase The device shines laser light onto the brain to measure vital information about the chemical make-up of tissue in and around the tumour. That information is then put into an AI model to generate fast, logical predictions that can help guide decision-making in real time. Promising results Neurolase’s device showed promising potential in a first-in-human study involving 30 patients. This took place at Charing Cross Hospital. Researchers used the device to collect over 1,000 pieces of data, including molecular measurements of tissue. Analysis in the lab suggests the device accurately identified tissue type 94% of the time. Most surgeons currently rely on experience and “feel” to distinguish tumour from healthy brain tissue, with a reported accuracy of between 70 and 80%. Taking part in the Cancer Tech Accelerator Set up in 2021, the CTA aims to help researchers fast-track their innovations towards commercialisation. Find out more Run by Capital Enterprise, and backed by Cancer Research UK and Cancer Research Horizons, the programme provides specialised workshops, mentorship and award funding pathways to help move research from the lab to the clinic. We are a partner charity, as are Blood Cancer UK. Through the CTA, we have previously helped fund a project focused on speeding up brain tumour diagnosis through liquid biopsies. Find out more The programme received 89 applications this year, with 48 of those joining the week-long bootcamp that took place in April. We look forward to following their progress! The post Neurolase: Making brain tumour surgery safer through the Cancer Tech Accelerator appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
Rolling with the punches: Hugo’s boxing fundraiser for mum Sophie Kinsella
Author Sophie Kinsella’s son, Hugo Wickham, is stepping into the ring to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity The post Rolling with the punches: Hugo’s boxing fundraiser for mum Sophie Kinsella appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
Hugo’s mother, author Sophie Kinsella, died in December 2025 of glioblastoma. In her memory, Hugo joined hundreds of other walkers at The Twilight Walk in London during Brain Tumour Awareness Month – part of the family’s continued support of The Charity. Not to be outdone by his younger brother Oscar’s recent half marathon, Hugo has upped the stakes by putting on the gloves for a boxing fundraiser at The Troxy in Limehouse, London, on 19 June. Lacing up his gloves is definitely out of his comfort zone: “I’ve never loved cardio training, I’m more of a weight training guy; doing stuff like training for halves or marathons (ahem, Oscar) is a popular route but it’s not me. When training for an event like this, it’s easier to stay motivated and on track than knowing that, regardless of cause or fundraising or anything like that, if I slack off I will get punished for it with a punch in the face. Nothing focuses the mind quite like that!” It’s been a big fitness challenge get match ready as the bout gets ever closer. “The organisation I’m doing this with (White Collar Boxing London) is very rigorous in ensuring everyone who fights is physically up to the task. Part of this is a pair of bleep tests (the ones most of us did in school) near the start and end of the camp, as well as a very nasty ‘Sprint Test’ in the middle, which is like the bleep but much worse. The longest 12 minutes of my life!” As yet, Hugo’s opponent is the biggest unknown. “I’ve been told his name, but besides that I know nothing yet about him; his height/reach, his weight (significantly lighter or heavier than me?), his fitness compared to mine. All these things can help me with my strategy – the way I’d prepare for someone four inches shorter than me is very different to how I’d prepare for someone four inches taller. “In my first fight, due to late dropouts changing up the matchups, I didn’t know who I was fighting until the afternoon of the event. That was nerve-wracking, especially for a first time!” As part of his fundraising efforts, Hugo has developed some innovative tactics for an auction that included: the right to design his boxing gown (won by his “ever-supporting” girlfriend), the right to design his shorts, and the right to choose his walkout song. These prizes have thrown up an opportunity for fresh humiliation it seems… <img decoding="async" width="1225" height="1232" data-id="59582" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/a5c63c3d-77f2-4123-9e37-19a328f5c551-1.jpg" alt="Leopard print boxing shorts with green tassels and the word 'Juicy' printed in neon pink on the waistband. Hugo will be wearing these at a boxing fundraiser in memory of his mum, Sophie Kinsella" class="wp-image-59582" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/a5c63c3d-77f2-4123-9e37-19a328f5c551-1.jpg 1225w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/a5c63c3d-77f2-4123-9e37-19a328f5c551-1-1018x1024.jpg 1018w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/a5c63c3d-77f2-4123-9e37-19a328f5c551-1-768x772.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1225px) 100vw, 1225px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1142" height="900" data-id="59583" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/2bc22b93-f39f-4ad0-8ab5-d49dc696d0f5.png" alt="A pink boxing robe with the words "BBY GURL" printed on the back. This has been picked by for Hugo to wear during his boxing fundraiser in memory of his mum, Sophie Kinsella" class="wp-image-59583" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/2bc22b93-f39f-4ad0-8ab5-d49dc696d0f5.png 1142w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/2bc22b93-f39f-4ad0-8ab5-d49dc696d0f5-1024x807.png 1024w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/2bc22b93-f39f-4ad0-8ab5-d49dc696d0f5-768x605.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1142px) 100vw, 1142px" /> “Those supporting friends have taken it upon themselves to create the most embarrassing and/or bizarre and incoherent clothes for me to fight in. The combination of camo, leopard print and neon tassels on the shorts was particularly fine work. “I also have yet to be informed what I’m walking out to, but “Barbie Girl”, “Crazy Frog” and “Fergalicious” have been floated as potential contenders.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/9d570699-a1de-4895-b9ae-879ce56f75e2.jpg" alt="Two boxers stand with the referee in the middle of a boxing ring after hearing the result of the match. One boxer wears a red vest and shorts, the other wears blue. The referee holds the boxer in red's hand in the air." class="wp-image-59584" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/9d570699-a1de-4895-b9ae-879ce56f75e2.jpg 1920w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/9d570699-a1de-4895-b9ae-879ce56f75e2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/9d570699-a1de-4895-b9ae-879ce56f75e2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/9d570699-a1de-4895-b9ae-879ce56f75e2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/9d570699-a1de-4895-b9ae-879ce56f75e2-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /> Hugo’s fundraising page The post Rolling with the punches: Hugo’s boxing fundraiser for mum Sophie Kinsella appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
“I’m living with a brain tumour and want to return to uni to shape future treatments.” ~ Annie’s story
When Annie started getting headaches that felt like a bandsaw going down the side of her face, she knew something wasn't right. The post “I’m living with a brain tumour and want to return to uni to shape future treatments.” ~ Annie’s story appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
Friends, family and total strangers are rallying round a young woman from Manchester to help fund brain tumour treatment for her that’s not available on the NHS. They want to help Annalise Donelon – known as Annie – to fulfil her dream of returned to university to study genomic medicine and contribute to improving treatments for other people living with brain tumours. Annie’s diagnosis Annie, 20, from Bury, was diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumour in October 2025 after repeated visits to GPs complaining of fatigue and then headaches. She was studying Chemical Engineering at Newcastle University at the time and when her symptoms got worse she couldn’t get a doctor’s appointment, so she went to hospital. The junior doctor she saw wasn’t concerned, but she happened to see the same doctor when she returned with the same symptoms the following week. He remembered her and referred her for a CT scan. A follow up MRI scan revealed a lesion deep in her brain. Annie’s mum Lisa, who also has twin 14-year-old daughters, said: “We first noticed Annie’s fatigue at Christmas in 2024, but what teenager isn’t tired? She had blood tests which showed a vitamin B12 deficiency, so she started on B12 injections and when they didn’t help, even after more frequent injections, it was put down to hormones or stress. “Then she started to get headaches which she described as like a bandsaw going down the side of her face. Her GP prescribed various medications over the following months, but nothing worked. She knew in herself that something wasn’t right.” When the results of the scan came through, the doctor phoned Lisa who travelled to Newcastle to be with her daughter. They opted to have surgery nearer home and waited for a bed to become available at Salford Royal Hospital. Lisa continued: “Annie’s surgery took place days later under the care of neurosurgeon Professor Pietro D’Urso, who we believe saved her life. He removed most of what would normally be an inoperable tumour and will remain one of Annie’s biggest heroes. Barriers to innovative treatments “Sadly, Annie’s eyesight was damaged – she’s been left with no left visual field and blurred vision. Over time we believe her brain has adapted to the blurred vision but there’s been little improvement in her field of vision. This was huge for her because it isolated her from university friends as she struggled to use her phone to stay in contact. But again, she’s adapting.” Following surgery, Annie’s headaches disappeared and she had daily radiotherapy for six weeks. The main side effect was hair loss – another huge challenge as a young woman. Then there was the anxious wait for the results of follow up scans. Sadly, these showed changes; either swelling or possible tumour growth. With no other treatment available on the NHS, and no UK clinical trials for which Annie was eligible, Lisa took extended leave from her role as a Research and Development Chemist to care for Annie and her family, and to research other treatment options by finding and contacting specialists based all over the world. Lisa said: “There are so many barriers to finding a possible treatment. I’ve combed the internet, I’ve accessed all the brain tumour charity information that I can find, and I’m in touch with other families walking a similar path and their support has been crucial.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1600" height="1200" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/TBTC-Annalise-1-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59543 size-full" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/TBTC-Annalise-1-1.jpg 1600w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/TBTC-Annalise-1-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/TBTC-Annalise-1-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/TBTC-Annalise-1-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/06/TBTC-Annalise-1-1-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /> Other families mentioned a neuro-oncologist at Gustave Roussy Hospital in Paris and Lisa wrote to him one Sunday afternoon. He replied the same day offering Annie compassionate access to a targeted molecular therapy. Within a week Annie and Lisa flew from Manchester to Paris for treatment and they’ve since returned with Annie’s Dad and twin sisters to do some sightseeing. Through Lisa’s dedicated research, two more more possible treatments emerged: University College London sent Annie’s brain tissue for advanced molecular profiling to determine options for precision medicine. They hope a combination of drugs will be able to treat Annie’s tumour but this – and the testing – is privately funded. In addition, Annie is due to start immunotherapy treatment in Germany which costs 30,000 Euros for each of three initial cycles and possible follow ups. That’s why friends have rallied round to set up a GoFundMe page aiming to raise £100,000 for Annie – and they’re already a quarter of the way there. Annie’s biggest dream Lisa said: “As a parent, all you want is for your child to be happy, kind, honest, hard-working and to have lots of friends and I can honestly say that Annie has it all. She’s everything and her sisters idolise her. “It’s Annie’s biggest dream to go back to studying in Newcastle in September – to be with her friends and do the part time job at St. James Park that she loves. She’s decided to change to study Biochemistry which we and the university fully support. This will give her access to careers within Genomic Medicine so that she can make a difference to the much-needed research in this area and can help people like herself get the treatment they deserve. “I don’t like asking for help, I’m a private person but we have no option to remain private, so when people ask, I say, do you know what – there is something you can do! You can share Annie’s story, help us fundraise, and our friends, family and local community have been incredible in rallying round.” The post “I’m living with a brain tumour and want to return to uni to shape future treatments.” ~ Annie’s story appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
AI tool could help tailor treatment for most common adult brain tumour
Artificial intelligence (AI) could help better inform treatment planning for meningioma, our researchers have found. The post AI tool could help tailor treatment for most common adult brain tumour appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
Scientists at the University of Toronto and Mayo Clinic have pioneered a new tool that uses AI to analyse images of tumour tissue, providing doctors with reliable information in less than an hour. The tool requires only a laptop to run. It could help identify meningiomas that have a high risk of growing back quickly after surgery and may therefore benefit from earlier, more aggressive treatment. We funded the study with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Findings have been published in The Lancet Digital Health. What did the study find? Meningiomas are usually low grade, but some grow quicker than others and may come back after treatment. In this study, researchers applied AI to images of surgically removed meningioma tissue from more than 600 patients. These images are routinely available following surgery. Results showed the AI tool could reliably classify meningiomas into molecular groups, achieving up to 97% accuracy. A growing body of work shows that these groups can help doctors give a more accurate prognosis and personalised treatment plan than more traditional approaches. Why is an AI tool important? Significantly, these new findings suggest that AI can provide the same level of insight into meningioma biology and behaviour as expensive molecular tools. This is important because molecular tools are only available at select institutions. It can also take several weeks to get the results. Meningioma research Dr Gelareh Zadeh, who is one of our Quest for Cures grant holders, was a senior author on the paper. Her work is driving new understanding of meningiomas, the most common adult brain tumour, and how best to treat them. Find out more The models developed in this study are now being made publicly available. Researchers hope they can be a useful decision support tool for clinicians, while validation for wider use is ongoing. Welcoming the new AI tool <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1536" height="2048" data-id="59313" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Andy-Tudor-portrait.jpg" alt="Close-up of Andy's Tudor, who supports the development of an AI tool to help progress meningioma treatment" class="wp-image-59313" style="aspect-ratio:1" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Andy-Tudor-portrait.jpg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Andy-Tudor-portrait-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Andy-Tudor-portrait-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="1600" data-id="2227" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2021/05/andy_tudor_-_2.jpg" alt="Andy and his wife, Jane, in a restaurant " class="wp-image-2227" style="aspect-ratio:1" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2021/05/andy_tudor_-_2.jpg 1200w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2021/05/andy_tudor_-_2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2021/05/andy_tudor_-_2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> Andy Tudor, a retired defence systems engineer from Waterlooville in Hampshire, was diagnosed with a grade 2 meningioma in 2017. He had successful surgery to remove the tumour – which measured around 7cm in diameter. The tumour recurred five years later, and Andy had Gamma Knife radiotherapy to kill the cells. Andy, now an Involvement Champion at The Brain Tumour Charity, welcomed the research: “It’s fantastic to see technologies like AI being used in such a positive way. I very much welcome its potential to help tailor meningioma treatment, which could prove a massive benefit for people like me in the future.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1800" height="1123" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2023/11/research-Oct-2023-1.webp" alt="researcher looking through a microscope" class="wp-image-29481 size-full" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2023/11/research-Oct-2023-1.webp 1800w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2023/11/research-Oct-2023-1-1024x640.webp 1024w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2023/11/research-Oct-2023-1-768x480.webp 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2023/11/research-Oct-2023-1-1536x958.webp 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2023/11/research-Oct-2023-1-480x300.webp 480w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2023/11/research-Oct-2023-1-1568x978.webp 1568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px" /> See our research To learn more about exciting research projects that we’re funding, click the button below: Our research The post AI tool could help tailor treatment for most common adult brain tumour appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
Uniting to respond to the Timms Review into PIP
We’ve united with 12 leading cancer charities to respond to the government’s Timms Review into Personal Independence Payments (PIP). The post Uniting to respond to the Timms Review into PIP appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
From reduced income to the often-unseen costs of daily life with a life-limiting illness, the financial impact of brain tumour diagnosis quickly adds up. Financial support from the government – including Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – is therefore vital for many families in the brain tumour community. That’s why we’ve united with 12 other leading cancer charities to write to Sir Stephen Timms and the co-chairs of the Timms Review into PIP to share what we’d like the system to look like for people facing cancer and other serious long-term health conditions. We’ve also submitted evidence to the Timms Review highlighting the vast unmet need for brain tumours. Read the joint letter Read our submission to the Timm’s Review What is PIP? Personal Independence Payments (PIP) is a disability benefit for those aged 16-65. It’s payable when someone has a long-term health condition or disability. You become eligible for PIP if you need help with everyday tasks (called Daily Living) or getting around (called mobility), have needed this help for three months and expect to need it for another nine months. Learn more about brain tumours and PIP What is the Timms Review into PIP? In 2025, the government published a consultation document (a Green Paper) outlining broad changes to the welfare system (you can read our response to that consultation here). Since then, the Timm’s Review was launched to directly shape how PIP assessments and eligibility will function in the reformed system. The Timms Review into PIP is an official government review of PIP that is looking at: How PIP supports disabled people today and what might need to change to support disabled people in the future. How well the eligibility criteria captures the impacts of people’s conditions for both the Daily Living and Mobility elements of PIP. What – if any – other evidence should be considered alongside the assessment. How PIP can provide the right amount of support at the right time. How PIP gives people access to wider support, for example, a Blue Badge or the Motability scheme. How other changes to disability benefits – for example, plans to scrap the Work Capability Assessment in 2028 – will impact PIP. It’s important to note that no changes will be made to PIP until the Timms Review is completed. Why is this important to the brain tumour community? In The Cost of a Brain Tumour: The Urgent Case for Economic Action, we looked at the financial impact of a year’s worth of new brain tumour diagnoses in a year (around 12,700). We estimated that the lifetime financial costs to these families totalled around £5.17 billion. This included reduced income, additional welfare needs, loss of independence, personal costs of treatment and unpaid care. That’s an average lifetime cost of around £400,000 for each family affected by a brain tumour. When speaking to people in the community, we heard the PIP was a vital means of support for these families. 63% of the people we surveyed said that losing PIP would have a severe impact on their lives. But we also heard that the process of applying for that support and actually receiving PIP is complicated, time consuming and often unfair: “I applied in August and got the first payment in December.” “It took more than half a year for my disability payment to be processed.” “The current PIP system focuses too heavily on whether someone can physically complete a task, rather than the impact it has afterwards.” Our colleagues at Young Lives vs Cancer found that children and young people with cancer wait an average of eight months before they receive their first PIP payment. Even though they face extra costs of £700 every month from the point of diagnosis. We know that young people in the brain tumour community have faced these issues. Sending a response on behalf of the brain tumour community As part of the Timms Review, the government have called for organisations representing people with disabilities to submit evidence. Our response combined research from The Cost of a Brain Tumour: The Urgent Case for Economic Action and further evidence gathered from people affected by brain tumours on their experiences with PIP. We stressed that rather than being an additional luxury, PIP was a lifeline for people in the brain tumour community. We highlighted the vital role it played in helping you meet the costs of a life-changing diagnosis, supporting your independence, enabling access to care and appointments, and maintaining family, work and community life where possible. Uniting across the sector In coming together with 12 other leading cancer charities, we’ve been clear that any reform to PIP needs to meet the real, complex needs of people with serious health conditions like cancer. In the open letter, we’ve supported three vital points that we’re urging the government to prioritise in the Timms Review: Adapting the criteria for PIP to better reflect the complex, individualised needs of people living with disabilities and long-term health conditions. Taking steps to ease the administrative burden of a PIP application for people facing life-changing diagnoses and intensive treatments. Making the PIP assessment and evidence-gathering processes fairer and more accessible for patients with serious health conditions and disabilities. We want to thank our colleagues at the following charities backing this urgent message to the government – Anthony Nolan, Blood Cancer UK, Bone Cancer Research Trust, Brain Tumour Research, Kidney Cancer UK, Leukaemia Care, Maggie’s, Neuroendocrine Cancer UK, Salivary Gland Cancer UK, Shine Cancer Support, Young Lives vs Cancer and Young Tongues. Read the joint letter Eight key recommendations to improving PIP for people affected by brain tumours In our response, we outlined eight key recommendations for the review to take on board: Protect access to PIP for people with serious, complex and fluctuating conditions, including people affected by both high-grade and low-grade brain tumours who experience long term functional impairment. Ensure assessment criteria properly recognise neurological, cognitive and invisible symptoms and treatment side effects, including fatigue, memory loss, seizures, communication difficulties and fluctuating capacity. Assessment processes should focus on the functional impact of a condition, rather than relying too heavily on diagnostic labels or assumptions around prognosis alone. Place greater weight on clinical evidence and lived experience, rather than relying too heavily on standardised functional descriptors. Reduce unnecessary reassessments for people with long-term, progressive or life-limiting conditions. Simplify and accelerate access to support for people affected by brain tumours that cause severe, life-limiting or long-term functional impairment, including consideration of fast-tracked or reduced-assessment routes where appropriate. Ensure assessment routes are accessible, with options for remote assessments, recorded assessments and support for people with cognitive, visual or fatigue-related barriers. Recognise PIP as a tool for independence, dignity and participation, including where it enables people to remain in work, education or family life. Read our submission to the Timms Review The post Uniting to respond to the Timms Review into PIP appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
Volunteers’ Week: Thank you to all our volunteers
If you’ve ever received a certificate to thank you for fundraising for us, it may have been created and sent to you by one of our amazing volunteers. This Volunteers' Week we’re celebrating all those 406 individuals – but especially our longest serving volunteer Vera. The post Volunteers’ Week: Thank you to all our volunteers appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
‘Why I volunteer’ Vera Barrett, who’s now in her early 80s, says she “wouldn’t be without” her volunteering work because it gives her week structure. She heard about The Brain Tumour Charity after her husband, Reg, was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain tumour. He had a seizure in January 2005 followed by two lots of surgery, six weeks of radiotherapy and one chemotherapy treatment. But he became too unwell to continue with it. He sadly died in December 2006. Vera started volunteering for The Charity in 2008 and has continued to do so ever since – apart from an enforced break during Covid-19 restrictions. 18 years of volunteering Vera said: “There was a patient support group that met in Hartley Witney every month or so and we went to several of their meetings. Then I asked for donations to the charity at Reg’s funeral. “I decided to get more involved and went into the office in Yateley once a week to do admin tasks like filing and putting information packs together. At that time there were fewer than 10 staff! I’ve also helped at a couple of Twilight Walks and local events, but my age is beginning to catch up on me, so I’m mostly office-based now. “I help with updating the database, printing Thank You certificates for fundraisers, the post, helping the events team prepared for an event and generally making myself useful. I keep coming back as I feel I am making a small contribution to the cause. A huge thank you Supporter Care Officer Amy Close, who often works alongside her, said: “We always look forward to catching up with Vera. “Far from only making a small contribution, she’s indispensable and does a superb job, freeing us up to respond to email enquiries and answer calls.” Vera, who’s now married to Alan, has also had her own health issues which means her usual three-mile walks around Windsor Great Park are occasionally cut short. But she remains stoic and spritely – and we’d like to say a huge thank you to her and all our volunteers for their time and efforts via this short video >>>>>> Volunteer with us! If Volunteers’ Week has you interested in getting involved with The Charity, you’ll be pleased to know there are lots of volunteering opportunities available! Click the button below to find out more. Volunteer with us! The post Volunteers’ Week: Thank you to all our volunteers appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
Jasper Dix’s epic Thames Path Walk fundraiser pushes total over £100,000
Jasper Dix, who is living with a malignant brain tumour, completed the 185-mile route from the source to the Thames Barrier on Monday 25th May The post Jasper Dix’s epic Thames Path Walk fundraiser pushes total over £100,000 appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
Thames Path Walk: An epic challenge Despite record-breaking temperatures over the May bank holiday weekend, 27-year-old Jasper and his fellow walkers crossed the Thames Path Walk challenge’s finishing line at the Thames Barrier at 2.30pm, having walked 18km from London Bridge that day. It took him three weeks to complete the 185-mile route, as he wanted to break the walk into manageable sections, so that as many people as possible could join him along the way. Jasper studied physics at Oxford University and played rugby for both Northampton Saints Academy and Oxford University. He was working in Amsterdam when he suffered his first seizure in December 2024, so had to return home to Cambridge. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour and underwent major brain surgery on New Year’s Eve. Doctors then told Jasper that his tumour was terminal and he had between one and five years to live. Despite this, Jasper was determined to remain positive and to do all he could to raise vital funds and awareness for The Brain Tumour Charity whilst he was still well. Jasper said: “In December of 2024, following a couple of epileptic seizures, I was diagnosed with a terminal grade 4 astrocytoma which has a typical prognosis of one to five years. I was expedited into surgery on New Year’s Eve and then began nine months of treatment which included radiotherapy and chemotherapy. “As a result, I began thinking of ways to connect with my many friends and raise money for a good cause.” “As a keen through-hiker, when my mind turned to fundraising, I thought a nice long walk would be perfect. We are blessed to have a wonderful collection of National Trails in the UK and, as an Oxford graduate with many of my friends in London, there was only one Trail that would link both – the Thames Path.” The Thames Path Walk follows Britain’s iconic river, a route that takes it through Cotswold villages and towns before finishing at the Thames Barrier. Jasper has been the sole organiser of the walk and has coordinated more than 200 individual walkers who joined him over the miles. The recent heatwave racheted up the level of difficulty for him. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2056" height="1371" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks463-1-2056x1371.jpg" alt="A group of walkers stand on the trail that runs the length of the Thames river" class="wp-image-59304 size-full" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks463-1-2056x1371.jpg 2056w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks463-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks463-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks463-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks463-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks463-1-1568x1045.jpg 1568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2056px) 100vw, 2056px" /> Jasper said: “It’s been great to walk the Thames Path National Trail with my friends and family to fundraise for The Brain Tumour Charity. The last three weeks have been some of the most fun, memorable, and varied weeks I’ve experienced, walking from the serene rural areas around the source, through the beautiful towns Buckinghmashire then into hustle and bustle – and famous sights – of urban central London. “In order to encourage as many people as possible to walk with us, we deliberately kept daily distances short. The walking each day was easy – the Path is slightly downhill all the way! – and with so many different friends and family joining in, the days flew by. That said, as is natural after three weeks and 185 miles of walking (and by the end in 30 plus degree heat!), I certainly glad to see the Thames Barrier. “I’ve been blown away by the support; we’ve had more than 200 people join through the walk, dinner, and drinks event, and through this I’ve raised over £100,000. Thank you so much to everyone who has walked, donated, or cheered us on!” Support for Jasper Jasper was joined on the route at the weekend by Laura Benge, Community Fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity. Laura said: “It has been a joy to watch Jasper, and his friends and family, as this fundraiser has grown from his early goal to raise £10,000 into something far bigger. Jasper has inspired a huge community to support him and has done it all with positivity and a smile. “Seeing the 60 strong group of walkers reach the end on Monday was a special moment for all involved, and Jasper deserves much praise and thanks for his outstanding fundraising achievement.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2056" height="1371" data-id="59310" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks419-2-2056x1371.jpg" alt="A group of walkers stand with a castle in the background" class="wp-image-59310" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks419-2-2056x1371.jpg 2056w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks419-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks419-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks419-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks419-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks419-2-1568x1045.jpg 1568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2056px) 100vw, 2056px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2056" height="1371" data-id="59312" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks514-2-2056x1371.jpg" alt="Two walkers make their way down a stone staircase" class="wp-image-59312" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks514-2-2056x1371.jpg 2056w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks514-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks514-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks514-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks514-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks514-2-1568x1045.jpg 1568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2056px) 100vw, 2056px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2056" height="1371" data-id="59314" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260520surrey609-2-2056x1371.jpg" alt="A group of walkers for The Brain Tumour Charity stand with a Thames bridge in the background during their Thames Path Walk challenge" class="wp-image-59314" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260520surrey609-2-2056x1371.jpg 2056w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260520surrey609-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260520surrey609-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260520surrey609-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260520surrey609-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260520surrey609-2-1568x1045.jpg 1568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2056px) 100vw, 2056px" /> Dr Michele Afif, CEO of The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “Jasper and his family are an inspiration to The Charity. His determination to complete the route, despite extreme weather conditions affecting the final stages, has been incredible. “This has been about so much more than raising a remarkable sum of money. It has been about endurance, courage, community and awareness. Jasper’s openness, his willingness to share his story and his generosity of spirit, have been the heart of his ability to reach so many people who have then lent their support. “It is an incredible contribution for which we are hugely grateful.” Whilst enjoying a well-deserved break for now, Jasper is determined to do more to help raise awareness and is already planning a second fundraising dinner in Cambridge in September. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2056" height="1371" data-id="59318" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks104-1-2056x1371.jpg" alt="A group of walkers wearing red walk a scenic path surrounded by greenery" class="wp-image-59318" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks104-1-2056x1371.jpg 2056w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks104-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks104-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks104-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks104-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks104-1-1568x1045.jpg 1568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2056px) 100vw, 2056px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2056" height="1371" data-id="59315" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks046-2056x1371.jpg" alt="A group of walkers on the Thames Path Walk challenge walk through a wooded area with lots of overhanging trees" class="wp-image-59315" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks046-2056x1371.jpg 2056w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks046-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks046-768x512.jpg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks046-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks046-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/20260519berks046-1568x1046.jpg 1568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2056px) 100vw, 2056px" /> Jasper’s fundraising: https://www.justgiving.com/page/dixjasper Jasper’s Instgram: @jasperwalksthethames Take on your own challenge! If you’re inspired by Jasper and want to take on your own challenge or join an event, hit the button below to get started. Fundraise for us! <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="853" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2024/08/South-Coast-Ultra-Challenge-4-jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-39536" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2024/08/South-Coast-Ultra-Challenge-4-jpg.webp 1280w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2024/08/South-Coast-Ultra-Challenge-4-jpg-1024x682.webp 1024w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2024/08/South-Coast-Ultra-Challenge-4-jpg-768x512.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /> The post Jasper Dix’s epic Thames Path Walk fundraiser pushes total over £100,000 appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
Inspired by her husband’s brain tumour diagnosis, Sarah Neal is racking up the miles to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity The post Sarah’s 200km in May challenge appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
A daily challenge The challenge’s tally means Sarah needs to maintain at least 7km each day in May, in between family life and demands. She’s running to support The Charity and for her beloved husband Chris, who was diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumour in March 2023, after suffering a seizure while working away in Holland. Since then, Chris has endured two surgeries and three rounds of chemotherapy, and his strength is an inspiration to family and friends. “When he was diagnosed, he was on his own, away from me and the kids – we had to facetime the news. It was brutal,” says Sarah. Buoyed on by support from Chris, their two children Lucas nine, and Ava 12, and family and friends, Sarah is halfway through the challenge and has already raised over £7,000 in donations. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1536" height="2048" data-id="59002" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-E771F6FB-9D88-4545-B123-5092E7C03F2D.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-59002" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-E771F6FB-9D88-4545-B123-5092E7C03F2D.jpeg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-E771F6FB-9D88-4545-B123-5092E7C03F2D-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-E771F6FB-9D88-4545-B123-5092E7C03F2D-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1536" height="2048" data-id="59001" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-EA2DD8C1-5828-4B5D-A7AE-0CB7058757B4.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-59001" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-EA2DD8C1-5828-4B5D-A7AE-0CB7058757B4.jpeg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-EA2DD8C1-5828-4B5D-A7AE-0CB7058757B4-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-EA2DD8C1-5828-4B5D-A7AE-0CB7058757B4-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="944" height="2048" data-id="59056" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Sarah-and-family-in-a-football-stadium.webp" alt="Sarah and family in a football stadium" class="wp-image-59056" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Sarah-and-family-in-a-football-stadium.webp 944w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Sarah-and-family-in-a-football-stadium-472x1024.webp 472w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Sarah-and-family-in-a-football-stadium-768x1666.webp 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Sarah-and-family-in-a-football-stadium-708x1536.webp 708w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px" /> Support from family and friends “I didn’t realise we knew that many people to be fair but we do have lots of family and we used to live in Saudia Arabia and we’ve been back a few years now and people still living there have helps. We’ve had friends from Alaska, all over the place donate. With things and cost of living being so expensive right now I thought I’ll just put the target at £500 and i just can’t believe it. People were donating before I even started and I thought I’m going to have to complete it now! <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1536" height="2048" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-8807C3C5-8D11-47B5-BD40-0620E9CB5AE4.jpeg" alt="Sarah in her charity t-shirt getting ready for her 200km in May challenge" class="wp-image-59004 size-full" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-8807C3C5-8D11-47B5-BD40-0620E9CB5AE4.jpeg 1536w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-8807C3C5-8D11-47B5-BD40-0620E9CB5AE4-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/original-8807C3C5-8D11-47B5-BD40-0620E9CB5AE4-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px" /> Chris plans to join Sarah towards the finish and Lucas and Ava are also joining in. “Ava’s 12 but running isn’t her natural thing. She’s a dancer but she has been coming out with me. I think she’d rather be doing back flips alongside me to be honest. Whereas with my son Lucas football is life, so he does some speed training at a local club and he already enjoys it. He’s got a competitive nature to him so he’s always asking about the stats, the times and stuff. He’s giving me a run for my money with the pace and he’s half the size of me! “And Chris used to love running, we’ve done a couple of half marathons together over the years, he’s always been super fit. He can’t do what he used to do now but I think we’ve inspired him to get out walking, and we’ll do the last kilometre or something, so we all finish together. “The amount of offers of people being running partners has been great, from friends, from my great timing as sister who’s been out with me. It’s been good timing as the last few months things have been particularly challenging for us as Chris has started more chemotherapy. “He has a strength that is amazing, you wouldn’t know despite the pain he’s in every day. He’s an inspiration.” Sarah’s fundraising continues to soar. The post Sarah’s 200km in May challenge appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
Low grade, high grade, benign, malignant, brain tumour, brain cancer – what do these terms actually mean? The post Breaking down brain tumour terminology appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
When someone is diagnosed with a brain tumour, they may be overwhelmed by the need to understand a new and confusing language. This article aims to provide a shortcut to the terminology healthcare professionals use, so that patients, care givers, colleagues, employers, journalists, policymakers – all of us, in fact – can better understand what is being discussed, and why the words we use matter. The Brain Tumour Charity, Brain Tumour Research, brainstrust – the brain cancer people and Brain Tumour Support have collaborated on this blog post to provide accurate and consistent information for the whole brain tumour community. Brain tumours are as unique as the person diagnosed Low grade, high grade, benign, malignant, brain tumour, brain cancer – talking about brain tumours is rarely straightforward. Even though they mean different things, these terms are often used interchangeably or side by side which can be confusing and contradictory. What do they actually mean? Firstly, brain tumours are incredibly complex. There are more than 100 types, each with its own patterns of growth, behaviour and response to treatment. Even tumours with the same name can behave differently from one person to another. Malignant versus non-malignant Malignant and non-malignant are not terms that we tend to use. But they are used throughout medicine to describe how a tumour behaves, including its potential to grow, invade surrounding tissues, and spread to other parts of the body. These terms provide doctors with information about how serious it may be and what kind of care is likely to be needed. Broadly speaking, malignant means cancer and non-malignant means not cancer. However, for brain tumour patients, even a non-malignant brain tumour can be life-changing, or sometimes life-limiting. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="600" src="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Breaking-down-brain-tumour-terminology-blog-cover-1-1.png" alt="Graphic of charity logos and headline of the article on a pink background" class="wp-image-58714 size-full" srcset="https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Breaking-down-brain-tumour-terminology-blog-cover-1-1.png 900w, https://assets.thebraintumourcharity.org/live/uploads/2026/05/Breaking-down-brain-tumour-terminology-blog-cover-1-1-768x512.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> Malignant brain tumours are often referred to as brain cancer. They grow quickly, invade healthy brain tissue and are more likely to return after treatment. They are often diffuse. This means that they have no clear boundary, making them difficult to remove. They can spread to other areas within the brain and spinal cord. Malignant brain tumours have a worse prognosis than non-malignant tumours. Non-malignant brain tumours usually grow slowly and tend not to spread. They may be referred to as ‘benign’ by clinicians and in online resources. They have clearer borders, which means that surgeons may find them easier to remove and, once removed, they are less likely to return. However, this does depend on where the tumour is and what important brain structures are nearby. Therefore, ‘benign’ can be misleading as it can sound as though the tumour is harmless. Why benign is not fine Each brain tumour patient’s experience is unique. For some, describing a tumour as “non-malignant” or “benign” can be reassuring, but for others, this does not represent their experience. Someone may be told that their non-malignant brain tumour is inoperable, for instance, because it’s located in a vital part of the brain that would be damaged during surgery, or because treatment may have serious side effects. And the skull is a fixed, enclosed space, so any mass, malignant or not, has no room to expand so it can press on and damage nearby brain tissue. This can lead to serious symptoms, affect quality of life and, in some cases, be life threatening. Sadly, in other words, any brain tumour has the potential to cause harm. While some tumours remain non-malignant throughout a person’s life, others may be non-malignant at diagnosis but may progress over time into malignant tumours. This process is called malignant transformation. The behaviour and impact of a tumour diagnosis can also vary from person to person. In short, each person’s diagnosis is unique to them. We cannot make assumptions based on a one-word description. Why brain tumours are classified differently Scientists and clinicians working with brain tumours use tumour grades to better reflect how tumours are likely to grow and spread, and advise on how they should be treated. These grades are based on guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) which classifies brain tumours by identifying features seen under the microscope and, increasingly, using genetic and molecular information. A pathologist – a doctor who diagnoses disease by studying tissues and cells – determines the grade by examining a tumour sample taken during surgery or a biopsy. They study the cells under a microscope to investigate their structure and growth, and use specialist equipment to identify certain genetic and molecular markers. Generally, tumours with cells that resemble healthy brain cells are given a lower grade, while those with more abnormal-looking cells are assigned a higher grade. Grade 1 usually slow growing and less likely to spread Grade 2 usually slow growing but have the potential to transform to a higher grade Grade 3 fast growing and can spread to other parts of the brain and spinal cord Grade 4 the fastest growing, these often return after treatment and can spread to other parts of the brain and sometimes the spinal cord In broad terms, grades 1 and 2 are often described as low grade while grades 3 and 4 are high grade. Some tumours contain a mixture of cells with different grades. A tumour is graded according to the highest grade of cell it contains, even if the majority of cells are low grade. This is because even a small area of more aggressive tumour can influence treatment decisions. Why aren’t brain tumours staged like other cancers? Stage and grade are not the same thing: grade describes how the tumour looks and behaves biologically, while stage describes how far a cancer has spread in the body. For many types of cancer, staging helps clinicians predict outcomes and guide treatment decisions. However, primary brain tumours – tumours that start in the brain rather than spreading there from somewhere else – rarely spread beyond the brain or spinal cord. The extent of their growth and spread is not enough to predict how they will behave or respond to treatment. Instead, the grading system is used, which captures a wider range of factors to better predict tumour behaviour and potential impact. Brain tumour terminology: There’s no one-size-fits-all In summary, each individual brain tumour is unique. This is why we recommend that patients talk to their medical team before making decisions about treatment, clinical trials, additional medicines or supplements. A person’s tumour type, molecular markers, general health, other medical conditions, individual values and practical circumstances can all affect which options are available. You can read another collaborative article here about brain tumour data. The post Breaking down brain tumour terminology appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
Busting seven common clinical trial myths
We're breaking down common clinical trial myths to celebrate International Clinical Trials Day (20 May). The post Busting seven common clinical trial myths appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.
What is International Clinical Trials Day? To celebrate International Clinical Trials Day 2026, we’re busting some of the most common myths about clinical trials. But what is International Clinical Trials Day? International Clinical Trials Day is a yearly celebration of the progress made thanks to clinical trials and the people who run them. It’s also a day to recognise everybody who’s taken part in a clinical trial. Without the invaluable contributions of clinical trial participants in the past, present and future, it simply wouldn’t be possible to find kinder, better cures for brain tumours. Clinical trial myth one I’ll receive dangerous, untested medicines Some early phase clinical trials do involve testing a drug in humans for the first time. But these studies test very low doses and slowly increase the dose to find the safe levels of the drug. These early phase trials only involve a small number of people and the drugs will have already been extensively studied in the laboratory. In later phase clinical trials, the safe dose for humans has already been discovered and many brain tumour clinical trials focus on repurposing existing drugs that are already safely used for other conditions. As with any treatment, those tested in clinical trials carry an element of risk and can cause side-effects. Clinical trial myth two I’ll receive a placebo and won’t benefit from treatment There are some clinical trials that use placebos. However, many brain tumour clinical trials test how effective a new treatment is in comparrison to the existing standard of care. So, even if you aren’t receiving the new treatment, you’re still receiving the treatment and care you need. Often, the clinical trial’s protocols will involve extra check ups and scans. Many people who take part in clinical trials find this reassuring. And in many clinical trials, if one group of patients is responding positively to the new treatment, researchers may switch other participants to that treatment. Similarly, if the current standard of care is proving beneficial, participants receiving the new treatment may switch to the current standard of care. Clinical trial myth three When the trial ends, I’ll stop receiving the new treatments If the trial treatment is still beneficial once a trial ends, the trial may be extended. This means researchers can gather extra data on the longevity of the treatment. Once the trial ends, there may be options available for continuing to access the new treatment. We’d always advise people to talk to the clinical team on the trial about what options you have. Clinical trial myth four I can only take part in a clinical trial as a last resort Clinical trials test a wide range of different things, including: innovative new treatments that could provide better results than current standard of care drugs that aim to prevent, delay or treat a recurrence of a brain tumour treatments that improve quality-of-life instead of increasing survival ways of improving quality of life through different forms of post-treatment care. Speaking to your healthcare team about research opportunities will help you understand what your options are and which clinical trials would be a good fit for you based on your current situation. Even if you aren’t currently living with a brain tumour, there might be early-stage clinical trials happening that are investigating what the safe dose would be of a brand new drug. Clinical trial myth five I need to live close to a large hospital or university to take part Clinical trials take place all over the UK, with studies often taking place in several different hospitals at once. You can also travel to take part in trials that may be based further away and some studies may be able to reimburse you for your travel expenses. However, there are undoubtedly inequalities in access to clinical trials related to geography. We recognised this in our Barriers to Participation in Research report and we’re working towards fairer access to brain tumour clinical trials. Clinical trial myth six Clinical trials already have enough volunteers Recent research shows that only 12% of people diagnosed with a brain tumour have taken part in a clinical trial. This means brain tumour clinical trials in the UK consistently have the lowest recruitment levels of all cancers. Clinical trial myth seven My doctor will tell me all about any studies that could help me There are hundreds of clinical trials happening in the UK at any given time – the latest data shows that 578 were initiated in 2024 – and they usually each have strict entry criteria. Unfortunately, this means it’s difficult for any doctor to be aware of all of them and which ones might be beneficial to their patients. In our Barriers to Participation in Research report, we found that less than half of those surveyed said they’d been told about potential research opportunities. Unfortunately, this often means that people affected by a brain tumour diagnosis need to find research opportunities themselves. Launching ACT-BT We often hear that people diagnosed with brain tumours are desperate to access emerging treatments through clinical trials. But they just aren’t aware of opportunities to participate. Dedicated healthcare professionals speak of wanting to highlight research opportunities to their patients. But a lack of resources across an NHS that’s stretched to a breaking point, means there’s little time for clinicians to be familiar with all the clinical trials happening in the UK. We’re proud to be co-creating and funding Access to Clinical Trials for Brain Tumours (ACT-BT). We’ve set up this new initiative to help break down some of the barriers that prevent people with brain tumours from taking part in research. What is ACT-BT? ACT-BT aims to help improve access to clinical trials for adults diagnosed with primary brain tumours. Consultants will be able to complete a simple online form and refer eligible patients to the ACT-BT panel. Led by Professor Susan Short, the panel – made up of eight neuro-oncology experts – will meet weekly to review cases and match them to potential clinical trials they’re eligible to participate in. The panel will then feed this information back to the consultant who made the referral, so they can discuss the options with the patient. This will help people diagnosed with brain tumours receive timely, personalised advice about opportunities to participate in research. We’re currently still in the process of setting up ACT-BT, but we hope that clinicians will be able to begin making referrals in summer 2026. Related reading ACT-BT FAQs Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions about ACT-BT. FAQs ACT-BT podcast Listen to our podcast episode with Professor Susan Short. Listen now Clinical trials Learn more about the clinical trials we’re funding. Learn more The post Busting seven common clinical trial myths appeared first on The Brain Tumour Charity.