Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support research into earlier detection methods for (a) myeloma and (b) other blood cancers.

The Department invests £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.

In the period 2020/21 to 2024/25, NIHR Programmes and Academy invested approximately £1.9 million on an early detection myeloma research project, and £2.8 million across four early detection projects for other blood cancer research projects.

These investments are pivotal towards efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment and outcomes. Examples of investments into myeloma and other blood cancer research include ‘Real-world testing of software for measuring bone disease on whole-body MRI in patients with and myeloma’, which looks to identify the extent of myeloma, and ‘Real-world testing of software for measuring bone disease on whole-body MRI’, which aims to establish clinical and cost-effectiveness of biomarker-driven care in patients with myeloma.

The Government recognises the crucial need for research into all forms of cancer, including myeloma and other blood cancers, and remain committed to the role of research to improve outcomes for patients. The NIHR continue to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health and care.