The disease is the ninth most common cancer in the UK, affecting 12,300 people a year.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) have announced a new innovative research funding package to accelerate brain tumor research in adults, children and young people.
The announcement comes from a collaboration between charities, research funders and the government, pledging £40m to fund new life-saving and life-improving research and development.
According to the Brain Tumor charity, it is currently the ninth most common cancer in the UK, affecting around 12,300 people each year. Brain tumors occur when cells in the brain grow in an abnormal and uncontrollable manner.
In 2018, following a call from the late Dame Tessa Jowell, who represents brain tumor patients, members of the brain tumor community came together to develop a national strategy and the government committed to funding new research.
As a next step, a series of new initiatives were announced at a Congressional Roundtable on May 14, 2024, to develop new treatments for brain tumors and improve patient care.
Funding through TJBCM will support NHS staff to carry out research to gather evidence of the services they provide and improve clinical practice and patient outcomes in brain tumor treatment.
The package includes innovative new funding for evaluating new treatments and optimizing brain tumor treatments to generate high-quality evidence in brain tumor treatment, support and rehabilitation, and to build on the brain tumor evidence base. Includes a new Tessa Jowell Associated Health Professions Research Fellowship. The importance of rehabilitation for brain tumor patients.
NIHR treatment funding is expected to open in summer 2024 and is expected to be significant, reflecting the Government’s initial commitment.
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive of the NIHR, said: ‘This innovative brain tumor research funding… will help save lives and improve the quality of life for patients with this disease. This is the key to finding the right person.”
