The Rare Cancers Bill moved a step closer to becoming law. We have been campaigning to improve outcomes and increase research funding for liver cancer and we along with the wider charity sector were delighted to see the Rare Cancers Bill pass its Third Reading in the House of Commons on Friday.
The Bill is a “Private Members’ Bill” tabled by Dr Scott Arther MP. These are bills introduced by MPs and generally it’s hard for them to pass into legislation – however, the Bill in its current format has the Government’s support, which is critical to its successful passage to become an Act of Parliament – and law.
The Bill aims to boost research and innovation into rare cancers — types of cancer that affect fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. Rare cancers, like liver cancer, often get less attention and funding. Yet liver cancer is one of the fastest-rising causes of cancer death in the UK, with only 13% of patients surviving five years after diagnosis.
The Bill draws inspiration from the US legislation that resulted in a step-change in investment for rare cancers, including the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act and the Orphan Drugs Act. If passed, the Bill would:
- Appoint a named lead to coordinate efforts on rare cancers in Government.
- Improve access to clinical trials, helping more patients take part in cutting-edge research.
- Review and strengthen drug regulations, encouraging pharmaceutical companies to develop new treatments for rare cancers.
Vanessa Hebditch, Director of Communications and Policy at the British Liver Trust, said,
“We are really pleased to see the Rare Cancer’s Bill has moved a step closer to becoming law.
Too often liver cancer has been left behind and not had the attention or funding that it deserves. A diagnosis is often devastating for patients and their families. We hope that this Bill will enable the Government to take a more strategic focus and provide more funding so that we can improve outcomes and low liver cancer survival rates. The Bill may also help liver cancer patients participate in potentially life-extending clinical trials and incentivise research into liver cancer.
We congratulate Dr Scott Arther MP for his excellent work in sponsoring the Bill and so effectively championing and navigating the Bill to this stage.”
The Bill now moves on to the House of Lords.
The readout from Friday’s debate is here: Rare Cancers Bill – Hansard – UK Parliament