A Twickenham man, who has been living with a brain tumour for three years, was at Westminster as MPs were told of the “unbearable” burden of the disease.

Philip Scard was at the meeting on Tuesday, November 20 of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours (APPG-BT) as it published a report on the economic and social impacts faced by patients and their families.

The 36-year-old was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in 2015 after suffering a seizure. Despite anti-epilepsy medication his seizures continue to have a major effect on daily life. In 2017, he underwent surgery and radiotherapy treatment and has recently finished a course of chemotherapy but his tumour continues to grow.

Philip said: “A brain tumour is a life-changing disability which is devastating enough without the additional social and financial burdens that patients like myself have to bear. I’ve had to move home to somewhere that is safer for my seizures. I can no longer drive which reduces my independence and I can’t commute because of the seizure risk – it’s very isolating. Above all, because of the treatment and fatigue I haven’t been able to work for nearly two years. The limitations, pressure and uncertainty continue to pile up.”

Brain tumours – a cost too much to bear? is the report of a Parliamentary Inquiry into the economic and social impacts of brain tumours which received more than 200 online submissions from patients and their families and comprehensive written submissions from charities and academics. It also held oral evidence sessions during June and July from researchers, doctors, surgeons, academics, representatives of drug companies as well as brain tumour patients of all ages and their families.

Sue Farrington Smith, Chief Executive of the charity Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are extremely grateful to Philip for sharing his personal story which demonstrates why we must continue to highlight this issue and do everything we can to improve outcomes for brain tumour patients.

“Understanding the very high ongoing costs of brain tumours is vital and the Government must find additional ways to minimise these costs. We will continue to influence and find ways to minimise this unique burden through a combination of further research funding, earlier diagnosis, additional benefits, and improved post-treatment support for brain tumour patients and their families.”