Widow calls for frozen tissue law change after husband's brain tumour death

A widow from south Wales is campaigning for a legal right to have tumour tissue frozen after surgery following her husband's death from glioblastoma; the issue will be discussed in a Westminster Hall debate.

A woman is campaigning to end what she calls a postcode lottery in brain cancer care after her husband died in 2024 from a glioblastoma. She says most of his tumour was not frozen after surgery, which limited the amount of tissue available for a personalised vaccine. The campaign, named Owain's Law, seeks to give patients the legal right to decide how surgical tissue is stored and used. The matter is due to be discussed in a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday. Key points: - Ellie James says the way her husband's tumour was stored after surgery left only a small amount usable for a personalised vaccine. - The family obtained a personalised vaccine but received a limited number of doses; scans later showed the tumour returned and he died in June 2024. - Mrs James is campaigning for a change in the law to give patients informed consent over tissue storage and future use. - Brain Tumour Research said fresh-frozen storage can be critical for genetic testing, clinical trials and personalised treatments, and has called on government to make it widely available. Summary: Mrs James's campaign aims to secure legal rights for patients to consent to fresh-freezing and storage of tumour tissue after surgery. Advocates say storage methods can affect access to genetic information, personalised treatments and trial eligibility. The next formal step is the Westminster Hall debate, where the issue will be discussed.