Fighting Brain Cancer: A Family's Journey and a Call for Research

Fiona Lott, a determined mother from Abergavenny, Wales, is fighting for a cure for brain cancer, a cause that has become deeply personal after her son Scott was diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma in 2019. Scott, a health-conscious weightlifter and mountain climber, underwent debulking surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, but the tumor is still active after three rounds of treatment. Fiona and her sister Lyndsey are taking on the 200k in May challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, a charity that funds sustainable research and campaigns for increased investment in brain cancer research. Scott's story highlights the urgent need for more research, with brain cancer affecting anyone at any age and killing more men under 75 than prostate cancer, yet only 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since 2002.

Key Takeaways:

• Scott Hinch was diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma on August 24, 2019, and has undergone three rounds of treatment, including debulking surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
• Despite treatment, the tumor is still active, and Scott is now undergoing his third round of treatment, with 20 months' worth of intensive chemotherapy condensed into 10.
• Brain cancer is indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age, and Fiona and Lyndsey are taking on the 200k in May challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
• The charity funds sustainable research at dedicated centers in the UK and campaigns for increased investment in brain cancer research, aiming for a national annual spend of £35 million.
• Scott's story highlights the need for better outcomes, kinder treatments, and ultimately a cure for brain cancer, which kills more men under 75 than prostate cancer, despite only 1% of the national spend on cancer research being allocated to brain tumours since 2002.
• Fiona's determination to support Scott and raise awareness for brain cancer has become her motivation to beat the disease, and her efforts will help spare just one family from the suffering they have endured.

Statistics:

• 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since 2002.
• Brain cancer affects anyone at any age and kills more men under 75 than prostate cancer.
• The three-year survival rate for brain cancer patients has increased from 10% to 25% over the past 20 years, but the five-year survival rate remains around 34% (British Journal of Cancer).
• Brain Tumour Research has secured over £15 million in funding for sustainable research at dedicated centers in the UK.
• The charity campaigns for a national annual spend of £35 million to improve survival rates and patient outcomes for brain cancer patients.

Sources:

• Brain Tumour Research
• Fiona Lott and Lyndsey Agnew (personal accounts)
• British Journal of Cancer (statistical data)