Double Vision on a Flight Led to Brain Tumor Diagnosis for 30-Year-old Woman
A routine flight nearly cost a 30-year-old woman her life, as seemingly minor vision problems during air travel proved to be the first sign of a brain tumor. Initially attributing the issue to cabin pressure, she soon received a diagnosis of glioma, a type of brain cancer that had already spread to the top of her spine. “When I received my diagnosis, I was alone, adn although I was terrified, I felt relief knowing that the medical team had a plan,” she recalls, as reported by le Daily Mail.
Brain tumors, while relatively rare, impact nearly 5,900 people in France each year and can present with a wide range of symptoms, including headaches, nausea, balance and vision problems, seizures, weakness, and confusion. Though the risk of developing brain cancer generally increases with age – with the majority of gliomas occurring in adults between 45 and 65 – they can affect individuals of any age,and certain subtypes are more common in adolescents and young adults,according to the Vaudois University Hospital Center.
Following a surgical operation, the woman underwent radiotherapy and six months of chemotherapy. “The treatment was grueling and I lost my hair. It was a small price to pay for the extraordinary treatment that considerably reduced my tumor,” she stated.
Now in remission, she dedicates her time to fundraising and raising awareness for brain tumor research, hoping to support others facing similar diagnoses.
