Swimmer Archie Goodburn's upcoming meeting with Andy Burnham is "pivotal" for brain tumour patient prospects, according to a group of brain cancer experts.
The Scottish Commonwealth Games star, who was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 22, appeared on BBC Breakfast in July pleading with the government for more funding to be put into brain cancer research.
The athlete, now 25, described how trials around the world are not being seen in the UK which is "unfair and unjust" as he called for Prime Minister Andy Burnham to establish a national brain cancer lead.
PM responds to emotional plea
The Labour leader responded 24 hours after the emotional clip was shared online, thanking Archie for his advocacy and confirming he'd like to meet directly. Burnham said his team would be in touch to make further progress.
Speaking before the upcoming meeting, a group of brain cancer experts said there needs to be a "step change" in government funding but that it is a "pivotal opportunity to change prospects for brain tumour patients".
Open letter warns of funding gap
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 "will never be met" for patients with brain tumours without "substantial additional investment".
Without more funding adults and children diagnosed with many forms of brain cancer "will continue to not stand a chance", according to the letter.
The letter states in part: "The Prime Minister's 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.
"We 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."
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.
Direct appeal to PM
Looking down the lens during the BBC show, Archie sent a direct message to the PM as 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. This has to change, it has been going on for too long and the suffering is unbearable."
The letter highlights how just one per cent of national cancer research funding has been allocated to study brain tumours between 2002 and 2021.
Analysis from the charity found that three-quarters of research funding into brain tumours comes from the charity sector, compared to just 26 per cent from government.
It said that while government funding has increased in recent years, levels are not enough to create a pipeline of treatments entering clinical trials.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "For 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 rare cancers, and new innovations like the rapid brain tumour test to transform treatment for patients.
"But 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."
