Brain tumour awareness and research

Motion Text

That this House calls for an increase in both awareness of and research into brain tumours; notes that this type of cancer presently receives less than 3 per cent of the UK’s cancer research budget despite being the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40; specifically recognises the need to raise awareness of diffuse midline glioma, commonly known as DIPG, the second most common type of primary high-grade brain tumour found in British children; expresses concern that treatment for DIPG has been unchanged for almost 40 years, with only 10 per cent of children with DIPG surviving for more than 2 years following their diagnosis; understands that symptoms of DIPG include difficulty in speaking and walking, weakness of facial muscles, problems with eye movement, headaches, and nausea; welcomes the fantastic effort of Fiona Govan, whose e-petition to this parliament to generate more publicity for DIPG and to achieve further funding for a disease that presently has no cure has gained over 100,000 signatures; commends the valuable research and efforts of organisations such as the Brain Tumour Charity that is currently leading new drugs research to target, prevent, and treat DIPG; and urges the Government to increase funding dedicated to research into DIPG and to expand recognition and treatment of this distressing disease.