Charity calls for people to write to their MP to call for a ‘step change’ in diagnosis and treatment
More than 1000 people have written to their local MP calling for a national brain tumour strategy. The move comes within days of The Brain Tumour Charity prompting its community to put pen to paper.
Their action is the second stage of a campaign the charity launched in March, when 52,000 people signed its open letter to then Health Minister Andrew Stephenson and his equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The change of government following this summer’s General Election sees the charity wanting the country’s new political leaders to understand why the disease falls outside of its current NHS plans – and why it needs separate consideration.
The charity says people experiencing common brain tumour symptoms make multiple trips to their GP and adds that there can be a risk of delays to treatment as patients can be repeatedly misdiagnosed.
It goes on to say the harsh treatments they need to endure haven’t changed in decades. The charity says this is partly due to the well-known difficulties in research funding.
‘The brain tumour community has shown in overwhelming numbers that they believe the best way to tackle this disease is through the systematic approach of having a National Brain Tumour Strategy,’ says Cameron Miller, Director of External Affairs & Strategy at The Brain Tumour Charity.
‘We would encourage all of those who have yet to do so to write to their local MP to demonstrate that there needs to be a step change in the way brain tumours are diagnosed, cared for, treated and researched.’
Young Ambassador Mel Kelly advocates for The Brain Tumour Charity.
Photographer: Broni Lloyd-Edwards.
A ‘no brainer’ to have National Brain Tumour strategy
It says many don’t receive the support they’re entitled to from an allocated Clinical Nurse Specialist. The campaign features 34 people who travelled to Westminster to be photographed symbolising the average number of people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour each day in the UK.
Every individual in the photo has been affected by a diagnosis. They were also interviewed about some of the tough decisions they’ve had to make and how, by comparison, it’s a ‘no brainer’ to have a National Brain Tumour Strategy.
Nikki Bennett from Abergele in North Wales, who has had treatment for a meningioma, said she and her husband Liam had written to their local MP to amplify the campaign.
‘We desperately want greater awareness of signs and symptoms of brain tumours, and more research into earlier diagnostic tools so that there are more treatment options available,’ says Nikki.
‘I’m extremely lucky that mine was caught in time and that it wasn’t fatal, but others aren’t so lucky.’
The Brain Tumour Charity funds pioneering research to increase survival and improve treatment options, it offers support to all those affected by a diagnosis and campaigns to bring about earlier, better diagnosis.
Earlier this year, the charity said it was ‘delighted’ that a new targeted therapy, for some childhood brain tumours, which is kinder and more effective than current treatments, had been approved for NHS usage by NICE.
The charity continues to garner huge support from the public – with one London Marathon runner raising more than £15,000 following the successful completion of the 26.2 mile course.
