Home / Health / Headaches masked cancer, student's fight for life
Headaches masked cancer, student's fight for life
8 Jun
Summary
- Student initially dismissed severe headaches as exam stress.
- A 5cm high-grade brain tumour was discovered via CT scan.
- She is pursuing international treatments unavailable on NHS.
A university student, Annalise Donelon, initially disregarded her persistent headaches as exam stress and a potential B12 deficiency. Her symptoms escalated to excruciating pain, described as a "bandsaw" sensation, prompting further medical investigation. A CT scan ultimately revealed a 5cm high-grade brain tumour, leading to surgery and six weeks of radiotherapy.
Following treatment, the extent of the tumour's eradication remains unconfirmed. The family is now actively seeking clinical trials and private international treatments, including targeted molecular therapy in Paris and upcoming immunotherapy in Germany. These advanced options are not accessible via the NHS, prompting a fundraising effort.
Annalise aspires to return to her university studies in Newcastle by September, with plans to switch her major to biochemistry. Her ambition is to contribute to clinical science research, developing better treatments for brain tumour patients. Her family emphasizes the urgency of finding effective therapies closer to home, highlighting the need for more clinical trials in the UK.
