Champion swimmer with rare brain cancer urges UK to do more to help people with condition
Summary
Archie Goodburn, a 24-year-old swimmer with a rare, inoperable brain cancer called oligodendroglioma, is asking the UK government to do more for people with his disease. A new drug called Vorasidenib has helped him delay harsh treatments and continue competing, but he says more research funding and faster access to treatments are needed.Key Facts
- Archie Goodburn is a champion swimmer diagnosed with three rare brain tumors called oligodendrogliomas.
- His cancer is inoperable and affects about 3% of brain cancer patients.
- Vorasidenib, a new drug, slowed his tumor growth and delayed the need for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- Brain cancer is the top cancer killer for people under 40, but gets only 1% of the UK's cancer research budget.
- There is a "translational gap" where early research struggles to become accessible treatments for patients.
- The UK government pledged £40 million for brain cancer research in 2018 but has spent little of it.
- Goodburn and campaigners want the government to release the full funds, improve patient access to new drugs, and appoint a brain cancer lead.
- The Department of Health says it supports more brain tumor research and improving patient access to new medicines.
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