Brain Tumour Patient Shares Experience at Roundtable Event in Westminster
A roundtable event was held in Westminster yesterday to discuss the challenges faced by pharmaceutical and med-tech companies in developing and delivering innovative brain tumour treatments and technologies within the NHS. The discussion, chaired by Sarah Edwards MP, aimed to gather insights from patients and experts in order to shape future healthcare policy.
Among the attendees was Owen Sutton, a 26-year-old brain tumour patient from Tamworth in Staffordshire. Sutton, who experienced a stroke during surgery to remove his tumour, has since been part of a clinical trial and has had to learn to walk and talk again. He shared his experience at the event, which was attended by individuals with lived experience of the condition.
The information gathered at the roundtable will be used to produce a report by The Brain Tumour Charity, which aims to help shape future healthcare policy. The charity’s previous report, published in May, identified key obstacles preventing people with brain tumours from participating in research, including limited awareness and availability of clinical trials, inadequate facilities for tissue preservation, and lack of support for patients’ cognitive and physical well-being.
Sutton, who is now a Young Ambassador for The Brain Tumour Charity, is passionate about advocating for greater investment in research and better access to clinical trials for people with brain tumours. He stresses the importance of these efforts, as brain tumours have the lowest recruitment levels compared to other cancer types.
Sutton was diagnosed with a low-grade pilocytic astrocytoma while at university in Nottingham. He underwent surgery, speech therapy, and proton beam therapy, and was eventually able to get back on his feet. However, he continues to experience fatigue, seizures, and limitations in his daily life.
In 2021, Sutton became part of a clinical trial at HCA London, thanks to his mother’s and oncologist’s relentless research. He takes seven tablets a day and undergoes regular scans, which have shown that his tumour has remained stable and the cystic element has been shrinking. His seizures have also stopped.
Sutton emphasizes the impact of being part of a clinical trial, saying, “Being on a clinical trial gave me the chance to feel that I was making a real difference when my life had changed hugely, and I didn’t know what the future would hold.” He also mentions the access to regular check-ups and brain scans provided by the trial, which have given him reassurance and allowed him to move forward in ways he never could have otherwise.
MP Sarah Edwards, who chaired the roundtable event, expressed her enthusiasm for the discussions held and the insights gathered from both patients and experts. She also mentioned a meeting with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton MP, who has already been in discussions with The Brain Tumour Charity. Edwards looks forward to seeing the final report with the gathered insights and findings.
To learn more about The Brain Tumour Charity’s research, campaigning, and support services, visit their website at https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/news/.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.