Abergavenny weightlifter ignored signs of brain tumour

South Wales Argus

17-05-2025

Scott Hinch, 31, led a fit and active lifestyle and - despite "experiencing a few headaches and nosebleeds" - had no significant health problems.
But on his way to work on August 19, 2019, he suffered a seizure and was rushed to Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales.
He was put in an induced four-day coma and, after waking up, an MRI revealed a grade 2 astrocytoma - a type of tumour that usually develops in the brain or spinal cord - and he was given three to five years to live.
Scott before his diagnosis. A fit mountain climber was diagnosed with cancer after experiencing a seizure - despite ignoring headaches and nosebleeds, he now believes to have been warning signs. (Image: Brain Tumour Research Charity / SWNS)
On September 4, Scott underwent emergency surgery to partially remove the tumour and started his first round of treatment to keep the cancer at bay - which will entail seven weeks of radiotherapy and 12 cycles of chemotherapy.
But despite its initial success, Scott's cancer returned two years later, at the end of 2023, and he began his second round of treatment - which involved 20 months' worth of intensive chemotherapy, condensed into 10.
He is now undergoing his third round of treatment for his tumour and says he suffers from "relentless fatigue" and that he is "dependent" on his mum, Fiona Lott, 51, because he "can't leave the house most days".
Scott before his diagnosis. Now his mum is his full time carer (Image: Brain Tumour Research Charity / SWNS)
Scott, who worked as a solar engineer from Abergavenny, Wales, said: "Looking back, I now realise there were signs.
"Headaches, nosebleeds, things I chalked up to long work hours.
"Maybe heavy training at the gym and not drinking enough water.
"I even went to the opticians, but nothing was picked up.
"Most days, I can't leave the house.
"But I'm still here, and that's something I'm grateful for."
Scott was diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma after suffering a seizure on his way to work on August 19, 2019, despite experiencing "headaches and nosebleeds" in the months prior.
Although the general prognosis is good, and those with grade 1 have a 96 per cent chance of survival after five years, it can decrease to below 30 per cent for those with grade 3 or higher.
Scott woke from a four-day coma induced coma - after 45 minutes of continuous seizures - when a consultant told him the "devastating" news that he had three to five years to live.
"I had no memory of anything since leaving the house," he said.
"I had four days completely missing, I remember setting off for work and then waking up in the hospital with doctors and nurses over my bed.
"It was frightening.
"I was shocked and scared and didn't know what was going on.'
The consultant at the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff, Wales, explained to Scott and his family that due to the tumour's diffused nature, only part of it could be safely removed - called debulking - which happened on September 4.
"I was terrified," Scott said.
"But I woke up a couple of hours later, cracked a joke, and asked for a cup of tea.
"It was a relief to know my brain function was intact."
After the surgery, Scott went through 16 "gruelling" months of therapy - including seven weeks of radiotherapy and 12 cycles of chemotherapy - which had kept things stable for two years.
But a routine scan towards the end of 2023 revealed the tumour was active again and Scott started his second round of treatment with intensive chemotherapy - with no success in curing the cancer.
"I take it one month at a time," he said.
"The fatigue is relentless and most days I can't leave the house."
His mum, Fiona, became his full-time carer and was "dependent on her" for everything.
During this time, the 31-year-old had lost his driving license as a result of his seizures and sold his car.
"I felt like losing my independence," he said.
"I couldn't visit friends, and the risk of infection meant limited visitors.
"I felt incredibly isolated."
Scott during his treatment for a brain tumour (Image: Brain Tumour Research Charity / SWNS)
Five years later, Scott is still battling cancer and is now undergoing his third round of treatment.
But he remains determined.
"I'm still here, and that's something I'm grateful for," he said.
To help raise awareness, his mum, Fiona, and auntie, Lyndsey, are taking on the 200k in May Your Way challenge to raise money for the Brain Tumour Research Charity.
Fiona said: "Watching my son go through the trauma of surgery and three rounds of treatment for brain cancer has been heartbreaking.
"No family should have to experience the fear, uncertainty and pain that we have.
"We need better outcomes, kinder treatments, and ultimately a cure.
"If our efforts can help spare just one family from this suffering, then every step will be worth it.'
To support Fiona and Lyndsey's 200k In May Your Way challenge, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/lyndsey