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Deadly Cancers Starved of Research Funds
13 Jan
Summary
- Less survivable cancers receive only 18.9% of research funding.
- This funding gap amounts to £130 less per death for these cancers.
- Scotland sees over 50% mortality within 12 months for these cancers.
New figures reveal a significant disparity in cancer research funding, with less survivable cancers receiving disproportionately low investment. Six types of cancer—brain, liver, lung, oesophagus, pancreas, and stomach—which account for nearly 40% of cancer deaths, are allocated only 18.9% of government research funds. This translates to approximately £130 less funding per death compared to other cancers.
Campaigners, including the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce (LSCT), are urging the government to address this "stark imbalance." They highlight that outcomes for patients with these cancers are poorer due to this funding gap. In Scotland, over half of those diagnosed with these less survivable cancers die within 12 months, underscoring the critical need for increased investment and improved access to clinical trials.
The LSCT is advocating for policy changes to incentivize research and remove barriers to participation in trials. The taskforce is hosting an event for Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) during Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week. This initiative aims to draw attention to the urgent need for more research to improve survival rates and patient outcomes across all cancer types.
