Daily London
Katie and Greg Britton are facing a heartbreaking journey after both were diagnosed with brain cancer months apart.
“They’re in no way related and unfortunately it’s just very bad luck,” Mrs Britton told 9News.
While their tumours aren’t linked, they’re taking the battle on side-by-side.
The Perth father first noticed a numbing in his toe, followed by losing all feeling to his side.
An MRI found a 4.5-centimetre tumour.
“It was right in my brain stem and it was just affecting everything – my breathing, heart, everything, just slowly shutting me down,” Mr Britton told 9News.
The tumour was removed 12 months later but he’s not in the clear just yet.
“It probably will grow back at some stage, so yeah it’s just about staying as fit as I can and healthy,” he said.
Mrs Britton started having her own signs and symptoms, including headaches and pain in her ear and cheek.
“I went into Joondalup Hospital and they diagnosed me very very quickly and I was in for surgery the next day,” she said.
She underwent surgery four months to the day after her husband on her own four-centimetre tumour.
Mrs Britton has just finished her first six-week round of chemotherapy and radiation but said the hardest part for the couple was telling their two teenage children.
“I was heartbroken for them, because watching how much they all struggled the first time around, to then put them through that again was a very difficult time,” she said.
The couple are not alone. According to Cancer Australia, there’s a one in 156 chance of being diagnosed with brain cancer by the age of 85.
In 2023 brain cancer was the ninth most common cause of cancer death in Australia.
It’s estimated to remain that way this year.
The Brittons are sharing their story to warn others about the importance of early detection.
They also have nothing but praise for medical researchers and foundations like Cure Brain Cancer, with funds raised opening the door to more medical opportunities.
“Not only does it make my experience of being managed for cancer so much better, but it also means my chances of living longer are so much better,” Mrs Britton said.
