Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleElla PickoverFriday 07 August 2026 02:49 BSTCommonwealth Games swimmer Archie Goodburn makes emotional plea to Andy Burnham over cancer policyNew research indicates that chemotherapy for aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma, may be most effective if administered immediately after surgery, rather than several weeks later.Scientists discovered that the blood-brain barrier, which typically blocks drug access to the brain, is temporarily disrupted during two critical periods: 15 minutes and 48 to 72 hours post-operation.This finding challenges the current standard practice of delaying chemotherapy for four to six weeks after surgery, suggesting a potential paradigm shift in treatment protocols.Experts believe that exploiting these temporary “windows of opportunity” could allow for a more direct and potent attack on residual cancerous cells, significantly improving patient outcomes.The study's publication follows an emotional plea from Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn, a glioblastoma patient, for greater investment in brain cancer research and a national lead in the UK.In fullBrain cancer ‘breakthrough’ as scientists uncover new windows of opportunity for treatmentMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in