A woman who initially thought she had a blocked ear due to flying was shocked to discover she had a brain tumor. Amy Frankcom, from Bristol, experienced symptoms that were misinterpreted as a blocked ear and headaches after a trip to Lapland with her family. However, her condition turned out to be more serious when, at 31 years old, she was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, a rare non-cancerous tumor the size of a lime, after enduring symptoms for four months.
Amy described the moment she received the diagnosis as utterly terrifying, with her mind immediately jumping to worst-case scenarios. Following the diagnosis in February 2024, she underwent emergency brain surgery to remove the 6cm tumor, resulting in complete deafness in her right ear.
Now 33, Amy, who runs her pet business Love Loui, recounted how she initially felt her left ear was blocked upon returning from a holiday. Despite being told her symptoms were likely flight-related, she started experiencing sharp pains in her neck and head. After multiple visits to the doctor, a student suggested an MRI, leading to the discovery of the brain tumor.
Amy emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and urged others not to ignore common symptoms, as timely intervention can be crucial. Despite the challenges she faced, she is determined to turn her experience into something positive by running the London Marathon to raise awareness and funds for Brain Tumour Research.
Brain tumors, which are the primary cancer killer among children and adults under 40, have historically received minimal research funding. With over 100 types of brain tumors posing significant challenges for treatment, efforts to increase research funding are vital. Carol Robertson, national events manager at Brain Tumour Research, commended Amy’s resilience and dedication to raising awareness for the cause through her marathon participation.