A woman from Surrey who had been suffering from leg weakness, caused by an undiagnosed brain tumour, has called for more funding to find a cure.
Susan Rowlatt (pictured top right), 63, who had otherwise been in good health, was told by her GP to perform squats and lunges in order to combat her symptoms. After a series of inconclusive tests on her legs, the mum-of-two was sent for an MRI scan – where a meningioma the size of a golf ball was discovered.
Susan said: “A tumour was never on my radar so, when they told me about the growth on my brain, which I could’ve been born with, I was in disbelief.”
In July 2021, Susan underwent a seven-hour surgery to remove the growth. She now uses a walker and has had several falls due to a lack of balance. She continued: “I often think of Tom Parker from The Wanted, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour around the same time as me.
“He was young, famous, had his whole life ahead of him, but this disease doesn’t care who you are. Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. And now even Davina McCall has shared her diagnosis. It’s far more common than people realise, and yet research remains hugely underfunded.”
Susan’s daughter, Lindsay Rowlatt (pictured above), 34, raised almost £700 by taking part in our 200k in May Your Way challenge earlier this year. Susan concluded: “Brain Tumour Research is a cause close to my heart. I’m incredibly proud of Lindsay and everything she’s doing to raise awareness. Until you or someone you love is affected, you don’t realise how little progress has been made in treating this disease. That must change.”
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