It impacts approximately 455 people every year.

Now a Cork-based charity is offering new hope for patients diagnosed with brain tumours in Ireland with the announcement that important new research has been given the green light.

Professor Kathleen Bennett of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and her team have been awarded this year’s HRB-HRCI joint funding scheme grant with charity partner Breakthrough Cancer Research to progress new research into the rehabilitation needs of people with brain tumours in Ireland.

The research, which will guide effective rehabilitation services in Ireland to ensure people with brain tumours get the care they need for the challenges they face, has been funded as part of a €3 million investment in the Health Research Board- Health Research Charities Ireland (HRB-HRCI) Joint Funding Scheme.

‘Rehabilitation is vital’

“Brain tumours have a very high likelihood of causing long-term effects because of the impact of the tumour and the effects of surgical complications, the neurotoxic effects of radiation, and debility caused by chemotherapy.” Professor Bennett said.

“This can be the case even when the tumour is benign – as in tumour growth that does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.”

The tumours can shorten life span and cause many problems including muscle weakness, speech difficulties, loss of mobility and independence, difficulties thinking and remembering, and epilepsy. These have profound effects on the lives of patients and their families.

“Research tells us that such problems can respond to rehabilitation, but there is a significant lack of rehabilitation services for people with brain tumours in Ireland.

“Our Public and Patient Involvement work with brain tumour survivors has highlighted how difficult it is to find and access to rehabilitation services for their complex and lifelong needs,” added Professor Bennett.