Charity Accuses NHS of Denying Brain Cancer Patients Genetic Testing
Patients suffering from deadly brain tumours are being denied potentially life-saving genetic testing, according to a recent claim by the charity Brain Cancer Justice. This denial is occurring despite the United Kingdom having one of the worst survival rates for this aggressive cancer in the developed world, highlighting a critical gap in healthcare provision.
Petition for Parliamentary Debate Gains Momentum
Brain Cancer Justice is actively petitioning the Government to provide all brain cancer patients with access to genetic testing on the NHS. The petition has already been signed by more than 100,000 people, a milestone that ensures it must be considered for a debate in Parliament, bringing national attention to this urgent issue.
Stark Statistics on Brain Cancer in the UK
Brain cancer affects approximately 12,000 Britons every year, making it one of the most severe forms of the disease. It claims around 5,000 lives annually, with glioblastoma, the most severe grade of brain tumour, offering an average survival time of just 12 to 18 months. Alarmingly, only 5 per cent of patients survive five years, underscoring the need for improved treatment options.
Expansion of Genetic Testing and Current Limitations
Over the past decade, the NHS has expanded access to genetic testing for some cancer sufferers, as many new drugs are only effective for patients with specific genetic mutations. However, brain cancer patients are not routinely offered these tests because most forms of the disease are not triggered by genetic mutations. This exclusion means that a number of promising drugs remain off-limits to them, according to Brain Cancer Justice.
Potential of New Drugs Like Vorasidenib
The charity highlights vorasidenib, an immunotherapy drug designed for patients with a specific mutation known as IDH. Research has demonstrated that vorasidenib significantly slows tumour growth, offering hope for extended survival. Matthew Wilson, co-founder of Brain Cancer Justice, emphasises, 'We now have drugs that specifically target gene mutations. Given the survival rate of the disease, we are asking that patients have the right to try these new drugs.'
Call to Action and Public Support
With the petition surpassing 100,000 signatures, there is growing public support for mandating genetic testing for brain cancer patients on the NHS. This movement aims to bridge the gap in care and provide access to innovative treatments that could improve outcomes for thousands affected by this devastating condition.
