MP, Member of Parliament for
Washington & Sunderland West and Shadow Public Health Minister
teamed up with The Brain Tumour Charity to support Brain Tumour
Awareness Month in March.
Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and
adults under 40 in the UK, and reduce life expectancy by 20 years
on average. The impact of a brain tumour diagnosis on quality of
life can also be severe, with common side effects including
cognitive difficulties, personality changes and fatigue. To
help raise awareness of the disease, over 30 MPs across many
political parties united in Parliament yesterday at an event
hosted by The Brain Tumour Charity during Brain Tumour Awareness
Month.
Brain tumours have featured highly on the political agenda since
January 2018, after Baroness
gave a moving speech in the House of Lords where she courageously
shared her experience of being diagnosed with a high-grade brain
tumour.
After the event, MP said: “It was a
pleasure to attend the event hosted by The Brain Tumour Charity,
to help raise awareness of this devastating cancer.
It is important that MPs from all political parties endorse
the work being done to support people with brain tumours, pushing
for earlier diagnosis and increased research to improve survival
rates.
I’ll be doing everything I can to ensure that people
diagnosed with this condition in Washington & Sunderland West
get the support they need”.
To mark Brain Tumour Awareness Month, The Brain Tumour Charity
launched a new report on the financial impact of a brain tumour
titled The Price You Pay. The report describes
how 80% of brain tumour patients have their working life affected
after diagnosis, and provides recommendations on how the benefits
system can be improved.
Cameron Miller, the Charity’s Head of Policy & Public Affairs
said, “we launched The Price You Pay during
Brain Tumour Awareness Month because it’s vital that we improve
life today for brain tumour patients who face financial
difficulty post-diagnosis”.
“The report is evidenced by survey responses from people that
have been directly affected by a brain tumour. Unfortunately, the
report displays the harsh reality that many patients and carers
face, including reductions in household incomes and inadequate
support and information”.
“We thank all MPs who attended our event today and we hope to
work with them to tackle this devastating disease”
