Archie Goodburn appeals to PM for brain cancer treatments
Commonwealth swimmer Archie Goodburn appealed to the Prime Minister for improved brain cancer treatments, highlighting the need for better care and research.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Commonwealth swimmer Archie Goodburn has made an emotional appeal to the Prime Minister for better brain cancer treatments, calling for a national brain cancer lead and increased funding for research. Goodburn, who holds the Scottish 50-metre breaststroke record, was diagnosed with three inoperable tumours just over two years ago and has been told it is unlikely he will reach 40. He competed at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he said his ability to swim is only possible because of medical advances and the campaigning of the brain cancer community.
In a direct plea broadcast on BBC Breakfast, Goodburn said: "Please establish a national brain cancer lead and give us a chance to fight for our lives." He also highlighted that clinical trials in the US, Australia, and China could change lives but are not available in the UK. The Prime Minister responded by promising a meeting, saying: "What you're doing for other people while you're going through all this yourself shows the best of us." The Health Secretary also said he has asked the Department of Health to look urgently at the issue of a clinical lead and how to drive research.
Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 in the UK. Funding for brain cancer research comes from the Rare Cancers legislation, which received £40 million in 2018 after Labour Minister Dame Tessa Jowell died from the disease. However, only around a third of that money has been spent on research so far. The government says £25 million is being invested in earlier detection and treatment for brain cancers.
Goodburn's campaign has also resonated with families affected by the disease. Julie Parton, from Staffordshire, who lost her 12-year-old son Ben to glioblastoma, said his appeal gave her goosebumps and that no previous prime minister had agreed to meet a member of the public to discuss this issue. She and Ben's twin brother Jack have raised thousands of pounds for brain tumour research. Goodburn, who recently graduated with a first-class degree in chemical engineering, continues to compete and campaign, saying he is "on my knees begging" for change.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Archie Goodburn has been told it is unlikely he will make it to 40. | |
| Archie Goodburn was diagnosed with three inoperable brain tumours just over two years ago. | |
| Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 in the UK. | |
| Only around a third of the £40 million from the Rare Cancers legislation has been spent on research. | |
| The government is investing £25 million in earlier detection and treatment for brain cancers in the UK. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC ONE West covered the story across multiple news bulletins, focusing on the emotional human interest angle, the political response, and the broader campaign for brain cancer funding. The coverage included a follow-up with a bereaved mother to underline the urgency, and highlighted the Prime Minister's promise of a meeting. The tone was sympathetic and supportive of the campaign, with a clear emphasis on the need for more research funding and a national clinical lead.
- “Please establish a national brain cancer lead and give us a chance to fight for our lives.”
- “I'm on my knees begging for not just my own life, but those are my best friends and those are affected in the families all around the country.”
- “What you're doing for other people while you're going through all this yourself shows the best of us.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.