Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, teamed up with The Brain Tumour Charity last month to support Brain Tumour Awareness Month.
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 MSPs across all political parties united in the Scottish Parliament today at an event hosted by The Brain Tumour Charity during Brain Tumour Awareness Month.
Brain tumours have featured more highly on the political agenda in Scotland since December 2017, after MSPs debated a motion on Brain Tumour Awareness in the Scottish Parliament debating chamber. The Brain Tumour Charity’s early diagnosis campaign for childhood brain tumours, HeadSmart, was highlighted at the event today for its contribution in reducing diagnosis times for children from 13 weeks in 2007, to 6.5 weeks by 2015.
After the event, Tom Arthur MSP said: “It was a pleasure to attend to event hosted by The Brain Tumour Charity, to help raise awareness of this devastating cancer.
“It is important that MSPs 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 Renfrewshire South 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 MSPs who attended our event today and we hope to work with them to tackle this devastating disease”