Chia vs. Coriander Seed Water: Which Is Better for Your Gut, Digestion, and Heart?
High in fibre, calcium, and iron, both of them are a powerhouse of good health and well-being Starti...
Read More
Dan said he also had issues with balancing and hearing on his left side and reduced use of his left hand
A 33-year-old policeman has battled four life-threatening brain tumours across a span of 14 years, saying bizarre food cravings had alerted him to it. Dan Horrocks' first tumour was detected in 2011 and was treated with the help of surgery.
And since then, he has had three more ependymomas—rare tumours that grow in the brain or spinal cord severely affecting the nervous system. According to experts, epidymomas affect children around age five or adults around age 45 years.
Dan’s symptoms for brain tumours
Before his first diagnosis, Dan, a senior Metropolitan constable in London, said he had been suffering from painful headaches and dizziness, apart from feeling tired all the time. While he was put on medication and even tried alternate therapies like acupuncture, his symptoms only worsened.
Eventually, doctors discovered golf-ball-sized grade two benign tumours after an eye test when the optician spotted swelling on Dan's optic nerves. Thereafter, with surgery and radiotherapy, Dan’s tumour was healed. "I'm eternally grateful to that optician; that eye test saved my life—I never turn down a freebie," he told The Sun.
Second and third tumours were diagnosed in routine scan
After the first tumour, Dan said he had issues with balancing and hearing on his left side and reduced use of his left hand. However, while he was trying to get back to life, Dan was then diagnosed with a second, grade three, tumour in his brain stem in 2014 after a routine scan. He again underwent surgery and radiotherapy.
"The mask they fit for targeted radiotherapy is so tight you can't blink. I experienced panic attacks for the first time - it was horrible," he said.
Weird food cravings started after the third tumour was diagnosed
Four years later, a fourth mass in his brain was then identified—this time near the area of the brain that controls emotions. It was picked up by another routine scan, but by then Dan started craving olives, which he never liked earlier.
He also began wanting to have spinach and tomatoes for breakfast.
While he underwent another surgery for his brain and spine, doctors told him that tumours are in cells that line the paths where cerebral spinal fluid moves through the spine, and cancer could come back anywhere in his spine or brain. Dan is now looking to get genetic testing done to find out the reason behind the recurrent brain tumours. His treatment has also put him at three times the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
What is a brain tumour?
According to experts, a brain tumour is an abnormal growth or mass of cells in or around your brain, which can either be malignant or benign. While some tumours grow quickly, others are slow-growing.
Only about one-third of brain tumours are cancerous. But whether they’re cancerous or not, the tumours impact your brain function and your health if they grow large enough to press on surrounding nerves, blood vessels, and tissue.
Signs and symptoms of brain tumours
Doctors say the signs and symptoms of a brain tumour may vary depending on its location, size, and type. They can include:
- Severe headaches—mostly in the morning
- Seizures
- Difficulty thinking, speaking, or understanding language
- Personality changes
- Weakness or paralysis
- Balance issues and dizziness
- Vision issues
- Hearing issues
- Nausea and vomiting
- Facial numbness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion and disorientation
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.
Our Blog
Read Our Latest Blog
CDC Sounds The Alarm As Measles Spreads Across The US — Are You At Risk?
CDC Sounds The Alarm As Measles Spreads Across The US (Image Credits: iStock) Measles, a highly cont...
Read More