Cash call for brain tumour research

28 April 2009 06:36am

More than a dozen charities involved in research into brain tumours are coming together to launch a new campaign for better funding for studies into what they say is the "poor relation to other cancers".

Survivors of the illness, including pop star Martin Kemp and singer Russell Watson, are supporting the launch of Brain Tumour Research.

The disease is now the leading cause of childhood cancer deaths in the UK but those behind this new charity say its study is "woefully under-funded".

According to Brain Tumour Research, new figures show that while child leukaemia deaths dropped by more than a third between 2001 and 2007, child deaths from brain tumours have increased by almost the same amount in the same period.

They also show 65% more women die from brain tumours than from cervical cancer.

But little is known about the illness and the new charity says it attracts only 1% of the cash spent on cancer research in the UK.

Spandau Ballet and Eastenders star Kemp said: "The diagnosis of a brain tumour is devastating.

"But if a tumour is found in time and you are given the right treatment you can survive and live life to the full.

"We need to understand more about brain tumours and research must be better funded so that they are diagnosed quickly and everyone gets the best treatment."

Singer Watson said: "Having been through the trauma personally of two brain tumours myself, might I take this opportunity to point out the huge difference that charities like Brain Tumour Research can make."

© The Press Association