A report today from Cancer Research UK predicts that survival from brain tumours will remain virtually unchanged over the next 20 years, despite an expected fall of 15% overall in the number of cancer deaths by 2035.
We have in place a strategy to double survival from brain tumours within ten years and to halve the harm caused by the disease to quality of life.
In May we announced a £4.3 million investment into pioneering research and last week unveiled funding for a further eight projects exploring new ideas in the search for more effective treatments, worth almost £1 million.
Sarah Lindsell, CEO of The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer in the UK.
“We do not accept that nothing can be done to change this before 2035.
“CRUK named brain tumours as an area of priority in its 2014 strategy, alongside three other cancers of ‘unmet need’.
“We would therefore urge CRUK to ensure it is doing everything within its power to maximise investment in research into brain tumours.”
In its statement, CRUK says it can change things for ‘everyone affected’ by cancer.
Sir Harpal Kumar, CRUK chief executive, said: “We’re resolute that, by 2035, three in four people will survive their cancer for at least 10 years.
“This will mean making more progress in breast, bowel and blood cancers, but also accelerating our effort in those cancers which are currently hard to treat.”