PM to meet swimmer campaigning for brain tumour research funding

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 16:59 · Archive

Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn, diagnosed with brain cancer at 22, is meeting the Prime Minister to call for increased research funding.

Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn, 25, diagnosed with three inoperable brain tumours at age 22, is meeting the Prime Minister to campaign for increased government funding for brain cancer research and clinical trials. In an impassioned appeal in August, Goodburn called for the establishment of a national brain cancer lead, saying trials available around the world are not being seen in the UK, which he described as "unfair and unjust". Speaking through tears on BBC Breakfast, he said: "Please invest and make the difference. I'm on my knees begging for not just my own life but those who are affected and the families all around the country."

Every year 13,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour. The survival rate is stark: only 12.9 per cent of adults in England live for five years or more. Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer deaths in children and adults under 40 in the UK. Between 2002 and 2021, just 1 per cent of national cancer research funding was allocated to brain tumour research.

A group of leading brain cancer experts and scientists, organised by the charity Brain Tumour Research, has warned in an open letter that government ambitions to improve cancer survival rates "will never be met" for brain tumour patients without "substantial additional investment". They say that without more funding, adults and children diagnosed with many forms of brain cancer "will continue to not stand a chance". The Prime Minister responded to Goodburn's plea by inviting him to meet, with the meeting due to take place soon.

How it is being reported

• Brain tumour patients share heartbreaking stories as campaigner Archie Goodburn urges PM to act on cancer researchEXCLUSIVE: Scots Swimmer Archie Goodburn, who was diagnosed with three inoperable brain tumours, is calling on the UK government to fund research and support clinical trials to help others living with types of the cancerThe Mirror · 13 Oct, 16:36
• Plea for brain tumour research funding as PM to meet with Archie GoodburnThe Scottish swimmer, who was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 22, made an emotional plea to Andy Burnham for more action on brain tumours.Evening Standard · 12 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Archie Goodburn · Prime Minister · Brain Tumour Research · UK · Scotland

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