{"id":652073,"date":"2026-10-12T03:38:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T03:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/652073\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T03:38:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T03:38:11","slug":"plea-for-brain-tumour-research-funding-as-pm-to-meet-with-archie-goodburn-the-irish-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/652073\/","title":{"rendered":"Plea for brain tumour research funding as PM to meet with Archie Goodburn \u2013 The Irish News"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Prime Minister\u2019s meeting with Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn is a \u201cpivotal opportunity to change prospects for brain tumour patients\u201d, leading experts have said.<\/p>\n

Goodburn, who was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 22, made an emotional plea to Andy Burnham for more action on brain tumours earlier this year.<\/p>\n

The swimmer, now 25, described how trials around the world are not being seen in the UK which is \u201cunfair and unjust\u201d as he called for Mr Burnham to establish a national brain cancer lead.<\/p>\n

Archie’s voice is being heard. \ud83d\udc9b<\/p>\n

After his emotional plea on BBC Breakfast calling for greater investment for research into brain tumours, Archie Goodburn has been promised a meeting with the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.<\/p>\n

Living with three inoperable brain tumours, Archie is\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/0yEIVuMSmT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brain Tumour Research (@braintumourrsch) August 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Goodburn was in tears as he said: \u201cPlease invest and make the difference. I\u2019m on my knees begging for not just my own life but those who are affected and the families all around the country.<\/p>\n

\"Yorkshire<\/a>\"Auto-enrolment<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThis has to change, it has been going on for too long and the suffering is unbearable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Burnham responded to the emotional plea by inviting Goodburn to meet him, with the meeting due to take place soon.<\/p>\n

Speaking before the meeting, a group of brain cancer experts said there needs to be a \u201cstep change\u201d in funding from Government.<\/p>\n

A new open letter, organised by the charity Brain Tumour Research and signed by a number of top scientists and doctors, warns that Government ambitions to improve survival rates for cancer patients \u201cwill never be met\u201d for patients with brain tumours without \u201csubstantial additional investment\u201d.<\/p>\n

Without more funding adults and children diagnosed with many forms of brain cancer \u201cwill continue to not stand a chance\u201d, according to the letter.<\/p>\n

The letter highlights how just 1% of national cancer research funding has been allocated to study brain tumours between 2002 and 2021.<\/p>\n

Analysis from the charity found that three-quarters (74%) of research funding into brain tumours comes from the charity sector, compared to just 26% from Government.<\/p>\n

It said that while Government funding has increased in recent years, levels are not enough to create a pipeline of treatments entering clinical trials.<\/p>\n

The letter states: \u201cThe Prime Minister\u2019s forthcoming meeting with Archie Goodburn is a pivotal opportunity to change the prospects for brain tumour patients through a renewed Government commitment on research, innovation and faster access to effective treatments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PrimePrime Minister Andy Burnham will be meeting with Archie Goodburn (Sean Gallup\/PA) <\/p>\n

It adds: \u201cWe need to see a step change in funding from Government and the growth of a life sciences sector in this country that incentivises innovation and investment globally.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe National Cancer Plan for England sets out a survival rate for Britain to move into the top quartile of European countries for people remaining alive at five years after their diagnosis by 2035.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhilst some funding has been unlocked, without substantial additional investment from Government, this target for brain tumours will never be met as we will not generate the pipeline of medicines and interventions that patients desperately need. Unless the Prime Minister commits to substantial additional funding adults and children diagnosed with many forms of this disease will continue to not stand a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brain Tumour Research said that in 2023-24 some \u00a326.2 million was invested to study brain cancer, with \u00a36.8 million coming from the Government.<\/p>\n

Dr Karen Noble, director of research and policy at Brain Tumour Research, said: \u201cBrain tumours continue to be the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40 in this country.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile we welcome political momentum and increased investment through the National Cancer Plan for England, NIHR Consortium and the Rare Cancers Act, we need to see the Government matching or exceeding charity investment if we are to accelerate progress and, crucially, improve survival rates for patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:\u00a0\u201cFor too long, brain cancer has not received the attention it deserved, and our National Cancer Plan is working to change that, with faster access to life-changing clinical trials, a new national clinical lead for\u00a0rare cancers, and new innovations like the rapid brain tumour test to transform treatment for patients.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we have heard the calls for further action from campaigners and clinicians working in this field, and the Prime Minister and Health Secretary are continuing to engage with those groups, and work out what additional improvements we can make.\u201d<\/p>\n