Fewer than 20 per cent of brain tumour patients survive beyond five years of their diagnosis, compared with 86 per cent of breast cancer patients, revealed charity Brain Tumour Research in a major funding report recently.
The shocking statistics drew the attention of the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Pauline Murphy, who welcomed the opportunity to tour the laboratories at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth last week.
The Lord Mayor met Dean of Research of the University, Professor Oliver Hanemann, who is a world-renowned brain tumour scientist in addition to holding the post of neurology consultant at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust. Professor Hanemann has led the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence since its launch two years ago.
Accompanied by her consort, Councillor Brian Vincent, Lord Mayor Pauline Murphy praised the work of the Centre. She said:
“I never knew the great work being done, here in our own city. Professor Hanemann and his team, with the support of national charity Brain Tumour Research, are making incredible progress against tough odds. I was shocked to discover that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. After seeing the lab and hearing about the work going on here at the University of Plymouth, I know we can make a difference.”Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity dedicated to granting all available funds to sustainable life-saving research into brain tumours; supporting the UK’s largest dedicated network of laboratory-based scientists. The Centre at the University of Plymouth, launched in 2014, is a leader in the investigation of low-grade brain tumours.
£1 million a year is needed to continue the vital research at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University. A local man recently left a gift of £100,000 in his will to research into brain tumours at the University of Plymouth, and a number of organisations offer support including Plymouth Argyle FC, Plymouth Raiders, Dartmoor Zoo, WBW Solicitors, Bright Solicitors, and local branches of Santander.