Last
week, Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock
attended an event hosted by Brain Tumour Research and the All-Party
Parliamentary Group for brain tumours. The event marked brain tumour awareness
month and gave MPs an opportunity to hear the findings of a new report on the
funding available for brain tumour research.
Mr
Metcalfe and other guests all wore hats to
promote Wear A Hat Day on the 28th March, the charities annual
national awareness raising campaign.
The
report by New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), commissioned by Brain Tumour
Research, found that brain tumours (which kill more children and adults under
40 than any other cancer) have one of the lowest survival rates across all
cancers - and one of the lowest levels of funding. Brain Tumour Research is
calling for five times as much funding for research into brain tumours by 2020.
The
report also found that just 18.8% of individuals survive for more than five
years and that mortality rates are increasing, with 16% more deaths recorded in
2011 than in 2001. The average years of life lost for brain tumours stands at
20.1 years, compared to the average across all cancers of 12.5 years.
The
report further shows that cancer research funding is significantly skewed, with
just 5 site specific cancers: breast cancer, leukaemia, colon and rectal
cancer, prostate cancer and ovarian cancer receiving 60% of all funding,
leaving the remaining 40% spread out across 43 remaining site specific cancers.
Mr
Metcalfe commented: “I was very moved by the
findings of the research and appreciate how hard it must be for patients and
the family and friends of those diagnosed with a brain tumour. It is vital that
we invest in research into all cancers and that the allocation of funding is
fair for all.”
“I
will be helping raise awareness of brain tumours by wearing my hat on 28th
March and urging my constituents to sign the e-petition http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/35167”.
For
further information about Brain Tumour Research, the report and Wear A
Hat Day go to www.braintumourresearch.org
or phone the team on 01296 733011.
