Cardiff to host Wales’s first-ever brain tumour conference

The event will bring 100 experts from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Wales and England together to look at new ways of diagnosing and treating brain tumours.

The conference will focus on some of the new research and clinical trials soon be made available to Welsh patients diagnosed with brain tumours.

Delegates will learn about the introduction of new ways to support patients and their families as they navigate their way through their difficult cancer journey.

New studies on show will include the use of alternating electrical fields as a way of stopping brain tumour growth.

The use of altered non-infectious common virus that have been trained to recognise and enter brain tumour cells where they unload their anti-cancer cargo, much like a trojan horse, will also be on show.

Brain tumour outcomes are unacceptable

Dr Lee Campbell, Head of Research at Cancer Research Wales, said:

"Outcomes for brain tumours patients have been unacceptable for far too long, and represents an area of research that has been greatly under-resourced, especially here in Wales.

“We are very excited to be hosting this conference, as it is the first of its kind to take place in Wales, and it is wonderful to see some of Europe’s leading experts attend.

“We hope the event will serve as a platform to build a thriving brain tumour research and treatment environment here in Wales, as it is well-known that research intensive local health boards always have better patient outcomes, and this is something that brain tumour patients in Wales both need and deserve".

Survival rates ‘barely increased over the last 30 years’

The Brain Tumour Research Initiative was set up by Cancer Research Wales in 2024.

It has so far invested over £1 million into new brain tumour research projects in Wales and will invest up to £1 million again this year.

Brain tumours are the leading cause of death from cancer in people under the age of 40 yet historically the field has received only 2 per cent of all funding spent on cancer research.

Unlike for many other cancer types which have seen big improvements, survival rates for adult brain tumour patients have barely increased over the last 30 years.

Brain tumour research ‘Vital’

Kathy – who has asked for her full name not to be used, is from South Wales and is speaking at the event.

She became a public and patient involvement (PPI) representative in brain tumour research after her late husband died in 2008 from a brain tumour.

“My husband died in the hospice within a year of diagnosis. He was less than sixty and we reflect often, and with great sadness, on the many subsequent family events that were diminished by his loss. These included graduations, weddings and the birth of wonderful grandchildren. He would have contributed so much to these and many more” said Kathy.

“I now help with PPI input in several cancer research areas - to provide lived experience. A vital one of these is brain tumour research due to my personal experience. Brain tumours are particularly cruel in the devastating personal effects and lack of hope. 

I can only offer heartfelt thanks for the Brain Tumour Research Initiative by Cancer Research Wales - the research it makes possible and the hope it provides” she added.

‘Access to clinical trials is pivotally important’

Dr James Powell, Consultant Oncologist at Velindre Cancer Centre, and clinical lead for Cancer Research Wales’s Brain Tumour Research Initiative, is opening the conference and said:

“We know that offering patients access to clinical trials is pivotally important as this provides opportunities for patients to receive the latest cutting-edge treatments for brain tumours. At Velindre Cancer Centre we strive to ensure that we offer participation in the latest national portfolio brain tumour clinical trials to patients.

“We were very pleased to see this reflected in our recent Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence award where we were shown to be offering access to more trials and studies for patients with brain tumours than any other centre in the UK. 

An award where recognition was also given to Cancer Research Wales for encouraging a vibrant brain tumour research and treatment environment. We are grateful to the people of Wales for all their support in helping this to be achieved.”