Tessa Jowell calls for more teamwork on brain cancer research

Baroness Tessa Jowell has called on medical researchers and governments to work more closely on developing treatments for brain cancer.

The former Labour Cabinet member, who was diagnosed nine months ago with a glioblastoma - a high-grade brain tumour, chaired a meeting of experts in Whitehall as the Government announced a new £45m funding package.

The funding, combining £20m from the Department of Health and £25m from Cancer Research UK, came just four weeks after she called for more funding in a remarkable speech in the House of Lords that drew a standing ovation from peers.

:: Tessa Jowell receives standing ovation in Lords after emotional cancer plea

Speaking after the meeting, attended by researchers, charities, drugs manufacturers and ministers including Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Baroness Jowell told Sky News she hoped working together could improve diagnosis and treatment.

Outcomes for brain cancer patients have remained static for more than 20 years while treatments for other cancers have improved.

"We have had a wonderful day today, looking at how we can improve and make sure there is lots more opportunity for people to work together, and for patients to know more about the treatment they are getting," she said.

"There is a lot that someone like me can be involved with, but there are so many other people as well and I hope that they will feel they are part of this."

Of her own condition she said: "I am not afraid, I feel that I have so much that I want to do, I have such wonderful children, my husband, my friends, I feel beyond, beyond love and the possibility of going further.

"I have this purpose and I hope that people will feel in their own way that more and more will feel that they have this sense of belonging to something."

:: Father Ben Lindon to have 100th round of chemotherapy for brain tumour

Mr Hunt said: "While survival rates for most cancers are at record levels, the prognosis for people with brain tumours has scarcely improved in over a generation. I am grateful to Baroness Jowell and other MPs who have campaigned with great dignity and courage to raise awareness of this issue."