SOUTH WALES
Brain Tumour Trust makes a difference

In the UK more children and people under the age of 40 die of a brain tumour than any other cancer. There are more than 120 different types of brain tumour which makes diagnosis very difficult. Vale Life spoke to Nia Jones about her experience.

"Two years ago I was involved in a road traffic accident and taken to hospital for further investigation of my injuries. During an MRI Scan they discovered that I had a benign growth in the brain stem, and due to its location the risk of a conducting a biopsy or undergoing surgery to remove the growth was considered too high risk. I was referred to the Neurosurgery department at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where I have received excellent care."

Brain tumours are indiscriminate in the people they affect: young or old, male or female, with no regard to race. The prognosis is dependent on the type of tumour and its location in the brain; even a benign brain tumour can be life threatening. What's more a benign tumour may become cancerous over time. Radiation therapy and some drugs can prolong life, but there is no cure. Investment into basic laboratory research could start to change this.

If you would like to make a donation to the Brain Tumour Trust please contact www.braintumourresearch.org