Imagine being told that the most advanced treatment for your loved one’s brain cancer exists—but you can’t access it through the NHS. For thousands of UK families facing a glioblastoma diagnosis, this is the harsh reality. While the NHS provides world-class care for many conditions, when it comes to aggressive brain tumours like glioblastoma, the latest therapies and clinical trials are often out of reach unless you can pay privately.
The Problem: Gaps in NHS Glioblastoma Care
Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and complex brain cancers, affecting around 3,000 people in the UK each year. The standard NHS pathway—surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy—remains the backbone of treatment. But for many, these options aren’t enough. According to a 2025 population-based study, only 29% of glioblastoma patients in England receive a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, while 21% receive no treatment at all. The median survival time is just 12 to 15 months. For those unable to access advanced therapies, the outlook is even more challenging.
Why Are Private Treatments Needed?
We have a much clearer understanding of glioblastoma than ever before. Newer therapies—like immunotherapy, targeted molecular treatments, ultrasound technology and tumour-treating fields—are showing promise in clinical trials. But these options are rarely available on the NHS, largely due to their experimental status and high cost. For families desperate for hope, this means turning to private clinics or fundraising to access treatments that could extend or improve their quality of life.
A Real-Life Story: When Hope Comes With a Price Tag
This dilemma is all too real for people like Asta Pratapaviciene and her partner, Raimondas. After Raimondas was diagnosed with glioblastoma, Asta discovered a specialised private treatment that targets his specific cancer type—something not offered by the NHS. Faced with a £100,000 bill, she launched the ‘You’re My Only Hope’ GoFundMe campaign to raise the funds needed for his care.
Asta’s story is heartbreakingly familiar: “We met eight years ago, both emerging from difficult divorces and finally found happiness and peace in each other. We were planning our future together when everything changed overnight with this heartbreaking diagnosis.”
What Sets Private Treatment Apart?
Private clinics can offer access to the latest therapies, often years before they become available on the NHS. These may include:
- Personalised immunotherapy, which uses the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer
- Tumour-treating fields, a non-invasive therapy that disrupts cancer cell division
- Access to international clinical trials and experimental drugs
But these options come at a steep cost, and most families can’t afford them without public support or crowdfunding.
What Can Be Done?
Experts and patient advocates are calling for greater investment in NHS clinical trials and faster adoption of promising new treatments. In the meantime, families like Asta’s are left to navigate a system where hope is available—but only to those who can pay.
Takeaway
If you or someone you know is facing a glioblastoma diagnosis, it’s important to explore all available options and seek expert advice. For those who want to support families in need, campaigns like ‘You’re My Only Hope’ offer a way to make a real difference—helping to bridge the gap between what’s possible and what’s available.
Comments are closed.