Leeds mum backs calls for more research funding for brain tumours
A Horsforth mum is welcoming a debate in Parliament about the lack of funding for brain tumour research.
A Horsforth mum is welcoming a debate in Parliament about the lack of funding for brain tumour research.
Tracy McDermott's son Oliver was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive kinds just before his 2nd birthday.
She says watching him undergo a year of treatment was every parent's worst nightmare.
“First he had a nine hour surgical procedure but they couldn’t remove the entire tumour. They had to leave around 10%, which meant that he then had to have radiotherapy – and generally they try to avoid that in those aged under 3. You’re asked to sign these consent forms which say that the treatment is toxic enough that it could actually kill them. We were in a really dark place back then - it’s amazing that he is now doing so well.”
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet only 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this terrible disease.
A petition is now calling on the Government and larger cancer charities to raise investment to £30-£35 million a year.
Rachel Finlay is from Leeds based charity, Brain Tumour Research and Support across Yorkshire.
She says it’s a type of cancer which too often gets overlooked:
“There are so many campaigns out there, The Pink Ribbon campaign and it’s all about getting women to talk about their breasts. The Prostate Campaign, highlighting the need to speak out and not be embarrassed. But brains just aren’t sexy! They’re just not something that we can encourage people to talk about, and I think to an extent, they are a bit scary.”
Today marks the start of Brain Tumour Awareness month, highlighting some of the most worrying issues with the UK’s approach to the disease.
Sadly, over 16,000 people are being diagnosed each year and both the number of patients being diagnosed and the number of deaths from brain tumours is rising.
Shockingly, current figures reveal that less than 20% of people with brain cancer survive more than five years after diagnosis and up to 40% of cancers spread to the brain.