Scots mum told she has incurable brain cancer after GP said it didn't 'look like tumour'
Fiona Charles found out her symptoms were actually from an aggressive and incurable brain tumour.
A Scots mum was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour after medics said a mass on her brain "doesn't look like tumour."
After what experiencing hot flushes and a 'mini stroke', Fiona Charles from Aberdeen found out the symptoms were actually from an aggressive and incurable brain tumour.
Now son, Jonny Charles, 29, is running 13.1 miles to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research, following his mum Fiona's shock diagnosis with glioblastoma in October 2024.
Jonny told Aberdeen Live:"Mum would do anything for anyone. She gave up her teaching career to raise me, my brother Matthew and my sister Jennifer.
"She was always active, playing golf, walking a lot, and taking part in agility competitions with our dog, Pippa. They've won so many rosettes that I don't think I could count them.
"In mid-2024, mum started having these odd episodes where she'd suddenly feel hot and flustered, with her heart racing, and she would need to sip water to calm herself.
"She also mentioned a strange smell in her nose, like burning food, but couldn't describe it properly. At first, we were worried her heart palpitations may be mini strokes that would lead to a major one, but we just weren't sure.
"Eventually, my parents decided to go private for an MRI because we just weren't getting answers. That scan changed everything."
Although a GP letter had initially reassured the family that the "small area of change at the front of the brain absolutely does not look like a brain tumour", they were not satisfied and pushed for further investigation, arranging a private MRI scan at Albyn Hospital in Aberdeen.
The results revealed a mass in Fiona's brain. Further testing, including a biopsy, confirmed it was a glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and fast-growing forms of brain tumour, with a prognosis of 12 to 18 months.
Fiona received the news just before her 61st birthday. "I'll never forget when she called us to come over so she could give the news to us in person," Jonny said.
"She didn't tell us why, which made the wait really difficult. We sat down in the living room, and she told us she had cancer.
"She stayed calm, but I could see the effort it took. We were all trying to come to terms with it, thinking about what the future might look like.
"It hit me that there were things she might never get to see – weddings, grandchildren, all the moments you take for granted."
Since her diagnosis, Fiona has completed radiotherapy and is currently on round five of six chemotherapy sessions, with treatment going as well as could be hoped.
She has experienced fatigue, weight loss and reduced appetite, and has made significant changes to her diet after researching how sugar might fuel tumour growth.
Initially on a mostly liquid diet, Fiona has now returned to eating more normally. She is also back to baking and cooking – activities she loves and that help lift her spirits.
Jonny is now training for the Edinburgh Half Marathon in support of the new Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, a collaboration between Brain Tumour Research and Beatson Cancer Charity.
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The centre, based in Glasgow and Edinburgh universities, is focusing on research into glioblastoma . Jonny said: "Before Mum's diagnosis, I had never even heard of glioblastoma. When I started reading about it, what shocked me most was how little funding it receives.
"Just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research goes to brain tumours, even though they are one of the most aggressive and devastating forms of cancer.
"That feels completely out of step with the impact they have on families like mine. This isn't about finishing with a fast time. I'm doing it to raise money, to raise awareness, and to help make sure more people understand how overlooked brain tumours still are."
Ashley McWilliams, Community Development Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Jonny's story is incredibly powerful. His love for his mum and his commitment to doing something practical and positive are truly inspiring.
"We are proud to have him supporting our work and wish him every success with the Edinburgh Half Marathon." To support Jonny's fundraising challenge, click here.
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