Improving brain tumour diagnosis is a No Brainer!
We explain why a National Brain Tumour Strategy is needed to ensure people have a faster diagnosis, opening more options for support, treatment and research.
A faster diagnosis can be vital for people affected by a brain tumour. It can:
- open up more options for patients and their families to receive wraparound support
- widen the scope of research participation options
- enable faster access to treatment and care reducing the severity of symptoms and side-effects caused by the tumour
- help patients better withstand harsh treatments
- reduce the need for emergency, higher risk surgery.
Unfortunately, many people diagnosed with a brain tumour go through a lengthy and unsupported diagnosis experience. Lots of people in the brain tumour community visit their GP multiple times before being sent for a referral and are often misdiagnosed.
In fact, 41% of respondents to our Improving Brain Timour Care survey say they visited their GP three or more times before receiving a diagnosis.
Matthew experienced two months of worrying symptoms – including seizures – and multiple trips to his GP and A&E before he finally received his diagnosis. His symptoms were written off by many of the healthcare professionals he interacted with and was misdiagnosed with anxiety.
We believe that giving people like Matthew a faster, more efficient diagnosis is a No Brainer! If you agree, you can write to your MP asking them to support our campaign for a National Brain Tumour Strategy today.
How can we improve diagnosis times for people with brain tumours?
In 2023, we published a report highlighting the challenges people with brain tumours face in getting a diagnosis through their GP. It revealed how hard it can be to get a timely brain scan – something that’s crucial as tumours can progress quickly. You can find the full report here.
Currently, GPs usually refer patients to hospital specialists before a scan is considered, causing delays. We know change can happen if GPs are able to order scans directly to speed up diagnosis.
After our report, NHS England published guidance recommending this change and we continue to be supportive of it.
That’s why we have published our new report Exploring GP Access to Imaging in England. This is a follow-up report exploring how direct access to scans could improve diagnosis times and support a National Brain Tumour Strategy. You can read our explainer blog post here.
Write to your MP today!
Giving more people a faster, more efficient diagnosis and potentially preventing life-long harm is a No Brainer! If you agree, you can write to your MP asking them to support our campaign for a National Brain Tumour Strategy today.
What else do we want to see in a National Brain Tumour Strategy?
Increased pioneering research into brain tumours
We need more money, more staff, more capacity and more incentives to attract diverse funders. Together we can make research breakthroughs a reality.
Essential care and support
We must improve care for those with brain tumours, offering them the support they deserve. Together, we can make sure no one faces this diagnosis alone.
Access to new and better treatments
By ensuring people have access to new treatments and trials, we can offer hope. Let’s ensure that everyone has a fair chance at better treatments and brighter futures.