Pre-diagnosis
Waiting for answers is one of the hardest parts of this journey. Whether you are experiencing worrying symptoms or are already going through tests, we’re here to help you understand what is happening and what to expect. You don’t have to face the uncertainty alone.
Brain tumour symptoms and diagnosis
Because there are so many different types of brain tumour, there are a number of brain tumour symptoms and signs, depending on the nature of the brain tumour and where it is.
These may be very severe, or may not be apparent at all. So, it is a very broad spectrum with which we are dealing. Please remember this if you haven’t been diagnosed with a brain tumour. It is a rare condition and having a headache for more than a week does not mean that you necessarily have a brain tumour.
What to expect when diagnosed with a suspected brain tumour
Being told that you may have a brain tumour is frightening and will most likely cause
uncertainty. This can feel like a new emotion – your world seems outside of your control, and you don’t know what you want or need to know. There are many things that may be going through your mind at this point.
The aim of this leaflet is to explain what will happen next and to help you feel a little more in control while your doctors are gathering information to confirm your diagnosis.
What to expect when diagnosed with a suspected brain tumour
Being told that you may have a brain tumour is frightening and will most likely cause uncertainty. This can feel like a new emotion – your world seems outside of your control, and you don’t know what you want or need to know. There are many things that may be going through your mind at this point.
The aim of this leaflet is to explain what will happen next and to help you feel a little more in control while your doctors are gathering information to confirm your diagnosis.
Included, not isolated. Become part of a community.
You don’t have to face this journey alone. We’ve got a huge network of inspiring people who understand life with a brain tumour, waiting to meet you.
Join us at a virtual meet up or a face to face event, or our private Facebook community.
Know Hows
When living with a brain tumour diagnosis, lots of things can suddenly feel like they are out of our control and it can be difficult to know where to turn and what to focus on. These Know Hows cover a range of topics designed to help you take control of what is happening at the moment and develop strategies to help you to find a way forward.
Newly diagnosed- knowing what to ask
Nothing can really prepare you for the news that you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
In this Know How, we will explore some resources and information that can help you to find out what you need to know following a new diagnosis of a brain tumour and the support that is available to you.
Dealing with the overwhelm
When situations change, it is hard to know which way to turn. Things that you did so easily suddenly become overwhelming. If you are a person living with a brain tumour, there may also be changes in your ability to function as you used to. Some things are within your power to change. Some are not. This Know How is designed to help you understand the difference, and prioritise the things that you can have an impact on.
How to live with uncertainty
When you have been diagnosed with a brain tumour, you feel that your life is less secure, more fragile than it once was. You find yourself living in a space where nothing seems certain anymore. It’s a scary place to be, and it can leave you feeling out of control and overwhelmed.
This Know How will help you get comfortable with living with uncertainty.
How to prepare for medical appointments
When you are living with a brain tumour diagnosis, this can mean that you will have regular medical appointments and check-ups at any stage of the pathway. They are a key part of your clinical care and are where you will get key information about your condition and treatment plan.
This Know How will help you to prepare for your medical appointments through different tips and strategies.
Driving
We know that you have lots of questions about the impact your diagnosis will have on your ability to drive. If you need to give up your driving license, this has a massive impact on your independence and well-being.
This latest Brain tumour Know How covers everything from telling your insurance provider, how long it might be until you can drive again to ways to manage the loss of your license.
Reliable websites
Access to the internet at the tips of our fingers has made getting hold of information quicker and easier than ever, but how can you know what sources to trust? Misinformation spreads fast online, and is sometimes shared by people with a large following.
This Know How will help you to understand what reliable websites look like, establish fact from fiction online and stop feeling overwhelmed by the volume of information available.
You can join the brain tumour community on Facebook too
On top of things, not overwhelmed. Regain control.
Just been diagnosed with a brain tumour? Want to find out more about brain tumours? Maybe you would like to offer support, or find out the latest brain cancer news. Whatever the reason, we’d love to hear from you.