Rare cancers account for a substantial share of cancer diagnoses across the UK and Europe, with many patients facing limited treatment options and delayed access to research. Clinical trials play a central role in developing new therapies and improving survival outcomes.
On 31 January 2026, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, announced a new government approach to improve access to clinical trials and breakthrough treatments for patients with rare cancers, including brain cancers.
The changes link to the National Cancer Plan and the Rare Cancers Bill, enabling patients to search for and be contacted about suitable trials through the NHS App, alongside new national leads and increased research funding. The measures aim to help patients reach research opportunities sooner and strengthen specialist support across the NHS.
Background to the government announcement
The government said rare cancers, including brain cancers, often face slower progress in research and fewer treatment options compared with more common conditions.
The announcement places the changes within the framework of the National Cancer Plan and the Rare Cancers Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament, to improve consistency of access to research and specialist leadership.
- Policy framework
- Parliamentary context
- Patient access focus
Access to clinical trials through the NHS App
The government said patients with rare cancers will be able to search for suitable clinical trials through the NHS App and request to be contacted by research teams.
Over time, patients will be able to opt in to receive automatic notifications about trials that may benefit them, reducing reliance on chance referrals and in-person discovery.
Digital access features outlined
| Trial search | Patients can search a clinical research database through the NHS App |
| Contact requests | Patients can ask to be contacted by trial teams |
| Notifications | Opt-in updates for suitable trials planned over time |
Research funding and specialist leadership
The government said the changes follow a £32.3 million boost to brain cancer research funding since July 2024, supporting trials, emerging treatments and leadership development.
New national and specialty leads for rare cancers will be appointed to help speed up trial referrals and oversee programmes designed to make clinical trials easier to access across England.
- Funding boost
- National leads
- Trial referrals
Partnerships and trial delivery framework
The announcement outlined strengthened partnerships with Cancer Research UK, including £3 million to co-fund Brain Tumour Centres of Excellence starting this year.
Plans were also set out to establish a Cancer Clinical Trials Accelerator through the National Institute for Health and Care Research Industry Hub to improve the speed, reliability and scale of cancer trials.
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said;
“I know how painful it is for rare cancer patients and their families to be held back by a clinical trials system that was never designed with them in mind. We’re modernising the NHS so rare cancer patients not only get breakthrough treatments faster, but so we have more experts in the right places able to boost survival rates for rare cancers across the country. The National Cancer Plan marks a step-change for brain cancer and rare cancer patients, giving researchers the tools they need and patients the hope they deserve.”
Lord Vallance, Science Minister said;
“Clinical trials are the route by which promising research can be turned into treatments that can change and save lives. This work, alongside our wider efforts to speed up clinical trials in the UK, will make a real difference in helping more cancer patients access trials and accelerate getting new life-changing treatments to those who need them.”
Food for Thought
The Department of Health and Social Care said the measures aim to strengthen access to research, improve coordination across the NHS, and support faster development of new treatments for patients with rare and brain cancers.
The announcement links digital access through the NHS App with increased funding, new national leadership roles, and partnerships with research organisations. The government said these steps are intended to help patients reach suitable trials sooner and support longer-term improvements in cancer care.
Sources: Department of Health and Social Care and The Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
