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Advanced Brain Cancer: Tissue Freezing
07 January 2026
Lead MP
Chris Evans
Caerphilly
Lab/Co-op
Responding Minister
Ashley Dalton
Tags
Defence
Word Count: 9976
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Chris Evans raised concerns about advanced brain cancer: tissue freezing in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The NHS needs investment in medical freezers to ensure routine flash freezing of brain tumour samples. The cost of £250,000 to £400,000 is estimated to enable all NHS trusts to have the necessary capacity for this practice.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Ellie James's campaign highlights the need for informed consent and better storage practices for brain tumour tissue. Owain James, diagnosed with glioblastoma at age 34, could have received up to 30 vaccines if all tissue had been flash-frozen instead of stored in paraffin. Currently, there is no consistent national guidance or infrastructure for storing fresh frozen tissue, affecting survival rates and patient treatment options.
Ashley Dalton
Lab
Caerphilly
Discussed investments in diagnostics and pathology to improve treatment options for patients with brain cancer.
Witney
Suggested making tumour tissue freezing standard for all cancerous tumours and reforming the Human Tissue Act 2004 to simplify research requirements and introduce a deemed consent regime for residual tumour tissue data.
Clive Jones
LD
Wokingham
Highlighted the lack of medical-grade freezers in hospitals like Royal Berkshire NHS foundation trust, stressing the need to improve access to advanced treatments such as personalised immunotherapy for brain cancer patients.
Mitcham and Morden
Supports measures that genuinely improve patient outcomes for glioblastoma patients, highlighting the need for more clinical trials to find better treatment options. She mentions a privately funded trial in memory of her sister with encouraging early indicators. Commented that debates on brain cancer have increased due to her work, raising serious issues about informed consent and tissue storage impacting patient treatment. Challenged the minister's assertion that early detection matters for glioblastoma, highlighting its poor prognosis.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Dr Johnson highlighted that around 13,000 new cases of brain cancer are diagnosed annually in the UK, with a median survival rate for glioblastoma patients being seven months. She emphasised the importance of tissue freezing for genomic sequencing and personalised treatments.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Called for clearer pathways to funding and expressed concern over the postcode lottery in accessing tissue freezing, which affects patient eligibility for advanced treatments.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
Shared the story of his constituent Samantha Jones whose husband died from glioblastoma, discussing the importance of flash freezing brain tumour biopsies for better genomic testing and treatment options.
Esher and Walton
Agrees that flash freezing brain tumour tissue would save lives at a relatively low cost, with economic benefits such as reduced carer unemployment. Emphasises the need for national standards to ensure consistent practice across NHS trusts. Pays tribute to the work of Dame Siobhain McDonagh and shares her own experience with oncothermia therapy, which was only accessible through crowdfunding. She suggests that the Government should match public fundraising efforts for such treatments.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Asks Dame Siobhain McDonagh if she believes private fundraising efforts need to be supplemented by statutory funding from the Government to make a significant difference in glioblastoma research.
Phil Brickell
Lab
Bolton West
Pays tribute to his constituent Alex Davies, who died from glioblastoma and volunteered for brain tissue research. He agrees that the Government’s national cancer plan should include more funding for research and clinical trials.
Government Response
Ashley Dalton
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Government Response
Acknowledged the seriousness of the issues raised by Chris Evans regarding informed consent and tissue freezing, emphasizing that patients must be fully informed about their rights. Mentioned the Human Tissue Authority's role in ensuring compliance with regulations on human tissue storage and use. Stated willingness to liaise with devolved Governments on the issue and further explore current arrangements for tissue freezing, particularly for brain tumour tissues. Committed to furthering access to cutting-edge treatments, including £13.7 million investment in the National Institute for Health and Care Research's brain tumour research consortium.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.