Government launches brain cancer care review after patient campaign

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 05:01 · Archive

The government has announced an immediate expert review into brain cancer care, to be completed within three months.

The government has announced an immediate expert review into brain cancer care, led by Professor Anthony Chalmers, chair of the Brain Tumour Group within the UK Collaborative for Cancer Clinical Research. The review will report within three months and shape a national action plan to get new treatments to brain cancer patients faster.

A new national brain cancer clinical lead will be appointed by the Department of Health and Social Care to drive the work forward. The prime minister has asked the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to complete its review of the rules for medicines that treat rare conditions – known as orphan drugs – in two years rather than three. Bringing forward any changes to these rules could help patients get promising new treatments sooner.

Emma Ward, 47, from Poppleton near York, welcomed the announcement. She was diagnosed with a grade four glioblastoma last March and given 12 to 15 months to live. She travelled to Germany for cancer treatment that was not available on the NHS, saying she could not 'just sit and wait to die'. Ward said she was 'pleased prime minister Andy Burnham has listened to the voices of experts and people affected by brain cancer'.

How it is being reported

• York mum with brain cancer welcomes government announcement to improve treatmentEmma Ward, a York mum living with brain cancer, has welcomed a government announcement to help more people access potentially life-saving treatment.The Press (York) · 19 Oct, 04:00
• York mum with brain cancer welcomes government announcement to improve treatmentEmma Ward, a York mum living with brain cancer, has welcomed a government announcement to help more people access potentially life-saving treatment.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 19 Oct, 04:00

In this story: Emma Ward · Andy Burnham · Professor Anthony Chalmers · Department of Health and Social Care · Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency · York · Germany

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