In a statement at the House of Commons on Tuesday, World Cancer Day, Health Minister Andrew Gwynne announced the Government’s plans with regards to cancer.
Minister Gwynne, who lost both his parents to the disease and who met with Brain Tumour Research in November, began his statement by praising charities for driving vital research and working to improve patient outcomes.
Now, he said, is the time to plan for the future and build on our position as a global leader in the life sciences and “do things differently”.
He stated that a specific approach for cancer was needed and that a national cancer plan would be published in the second half of the year.
This will follow a call for evidence and Minister Gwynne asked patients, doctors and nurses to ensure that the patient voice is heard as the plan is compiled.
He specifically mentioned brain tumours as an area where things have “not progressed at all”.
This point was amplified by the Chair of the APPG on Brain Tumours, Dame Siobhain McDonagh. Whilst also announcing a new clinical trial into glioblastoma that would have the memory of her sister Margaret at its heart, Dame Siobhan called on the NHS and NIHR to do better for those diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Minister Gwynne agreed, stating again that “we have not done well enough” and that Dame Siobhain, and by extension the UK brain tumour community, would be pushing on an “open door” when advocating for more research, to improve patient outcomes.
Many other MPs expressed their support for the brain tumour community in the chamber on Tuesday, among them Peter Prinsley MP (Lab, Bury St. Edmunds) and Peter Swallow MP (Lab, Bracknell). The latter of whom attended two fundraising events for Brain Tumour Research in memory of Ethan Treharne over the weekend.
Dr Scott Arthur MP (Lab, Edinburgh South West) spoke about his Rare Cancer Private Members’ Bill, mentioning his meeting with us earlier in the week, and called for the full inclusion of rarer and less common cancers in the plan. Minister Gwynne was very clear that “those with lived experience have to be at the heart of what we are doing”.
We welcome Minister Gwynne’s commitment that brain tumours will be “an integral part of our cancer plan” and will be making a full submission as part of our contribution to the call for evidence.
On World Cancer Day, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said there are many reasons for optimism. “Medical research and life sciences are pushing through the frontiers of understanding. Cancer is no longer the death sentence it once was.”
Mr Streeting sat down with BBC journalist Nick Robinson at a Macmillan-organised event and we were there too.
The Secretary of State announced the biggest trial of artificial intelligence to detect breast cancer, both embracing technology and setting a clear direction of travel for his Department.
The Department would not “get dragged off by blurred visions”, but would look to implement planned and consistent improvement – a deliberate shift away from setting targets. In Streeting’s words: “If you’re measuring everything, then you’re measuring nothing.”
Discussing the NHS 10-Year Plan, Mr Streeting said it was important to address health inequalities that exist across the whole patient pathway.
He also announced a plan to reinstate the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce, which will be co-chaired by Dame Caroline Dinenage MP. On her social media Dame Caroline wrote: "I am delighted that after pushing Department of Health and Social Care to reinstate the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce, today, on World Cancer Day, it has been confirmed that the Taskforce will resume its vital work.
"I will be returning as Co-Chair of the Taskforce, which will work to make improvements in the way we detect, treat and care for children and young people with cancer."
Despite the size of the challenge, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care remained upbeat and, during his address on Tuesday he said: “We wanted this task. We were trusted to deliver, and we will.”
Macmillan CEO Gemma Peters said: “If we can get it right on cancer, we can get it right with anything else. We have an opportunity in this Cancer Plan to make a big shift, for a better today and a better tomorrow.”
As Thomas said on leaving the event: “We heard some encouraging words today about the Secretary of State’s commitment to cancer. In the new Cancer Plan, we must ensure that brain tumours are not left behind – every brain tumour patient deserves hope, progress, and a fighting chance.”
You can read the whole cancer plan statement and ensuing questions and answers here: National Cancer Plan - Hansard - UK Parliament. You may also be interested in this Q and A between Clive Jones MP, who we met with a fortnight ago and Minister Gwynne: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.
On Wednesday, Thomas and Evan met with Allison Gardner, Labour MP for Stoke South. The focus of the discussion was pushing research for brain tumours higher up the political agenda. They explored how her role on the Science, Innovation, and Technology Select Committee could help drive cross-departmental collaboration in medical research. The conversation also covered the work of the APPG on Brain Tumours, ahead of its next meeting which Allison will be attending. She also pledged her support for Scott Arthur MP’s Rare Cancers Private Members Bill, ahead of its second reading on 14th March.
Last week, the Medical Research Council (MRC) published a report on the state of clinical researchers in the UK, revealing a concerning decline in the medically trained research workforce. There are now 6% fewer staff than in 2012, with a 24% drop at the senior lecturer level. With demographic trends suggesting further decline and no provision in the NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan to expand the academic workforce, the UK's capacity for clinical research is at risk. Financial pressures on universities and NHS service demands, reducing protected research time, are key factors driving this trend. The report echoes the findings of the 2023 APPG on Brain Tumours Report, which called for research incentives – such as buy-out time for clinical researchers – as essential in reversing this decline. A coordinated, system-wide response is needed to safeguard innovation in the NHS and the life sciences sector so that the UK can be a world leader in research and drive better outcomes for brain tumour patients.
Additionally last week, the Government’s 2025 Mandate to NHS England set out plans to modernise NHS infrastructure, emphasising investment in digital systems to improve patient access. Our 2023 APPG on Brain Tumours Report highlighted similar issues in clinical research, where outdated and hard-to-navigate trial databases limit participation. Better NHS data use is key for increasing clinical trials' participation rates. That’s why we have been working with Scott Arthur MP on his Private Member's Bill (PMB), which seeks to reform NHS data systems to incentivise clinical trials and improve patient outcomes.
Talking to brain tumour patients and their families informs everything that we do at Brain Tumour Research. We know that no one is better placed to throw light on the impact of this devastating disease.
So, we’re pleased to be able to support the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as it looks to recruit two new lay members to join its board. These roles will bring a unique perspective of being a patient, using health services, or fulfilling an unpaid caring role to the selection and routing of the most pressing health challenges.
You can find out more about the role here and apply online here, via the link 'Prioritisation Board Lay Member'. The closing date is Monday 24th February, and interviews will take place on Friday 7th March. The first meeting will take place on Wednesday 9th April at 2pm.
There will be another update next week including news on a meeting of our APPG.
Wishing you all a peaceful time until then.
Karen, Hugh, Thomas and Evan