An 11-year-old girl’s brain cancer was discovered after the violent shaking of a roller coaster “dislodged” the tumor, her mother said.
Connie Campbell, now 13, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a deadly brain cancer, after feeling unwell following a theme park ride.
Connie was enjoying a day at Thorpe Park in Surrey in August 2022 with her family when she boarded the rollercoaster.
Like thousands of children, Connie felt a little sick after the experience, but her family became concerned two days later when she began suffering from headaches and vomiting.
Tests revealed the devastating news that Connie had medulloblastoma, an aggressive type of childhood brain cancer of which only about 50 cases a year are diagnosed in Britain.
Connie’s mother, Tina Smith, 54, from Woodford, east London, said she believes the rollercoaster “dislodged” the tumor in her daughter’s brain, causing the symptoms that led to an early diagnosis that could save his life.
She credits the incident with allowing the disease to be detected before the cancer spread to other parts of her daughter’s nervous system, such as the spinal cord, when survival rates drop from 80 to 60 percent.
Ms Smith, a personal assistant, said: “There’s a difference between getting thrown around a bit for fun and having your head bounce so hard that you don’t feel good afterwards.”
An 11-year-old girl’s brain cancer was discovered after the violent shaking of a roller coaster “dislodged” the tumor, her mother said. stock image
Connie Campbell was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a brain cancer, after feeling unwell after going to a theme park.
‘It was two days later that he started getting sick, which seems like too much of a coincidence for the two things to be unrelated.
“I suspect the walks dislodged his tumor, and if that’s the case, I’m glad because I’m told we found it at a good time, before it spread to his spine.”
Before the trip, Ms Smith said her daughter had not experienced any signs of growth.
Although the cancer was detected early, Connie had to undergo grueling treatment.
He needed brain surgery just two months later, which was followed by rounds of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in an attempt to eliminate the cancer.
This treatment combination led to her missing a year of school and also experiencing developmental delays.
Now, three years after Connie’s treatment, Mrs Smith plans to raise money for the Brain Tumor Research charity by running in this year’s London Marathon with her friend.
She has already raised £2,000 and hopes the funds raised will help other children facing battles with brain cancer in the future.
“There is a lot that is unknown about brain tumors and treatment is often invasive and harsh on patients, especially children,” he said.
Although the cancer, which had no previous symptoms, was detected in time, Connie had to undergo grueling treatment.
Now, three years after Connie’s diagnosis and treatment, her mother, Tina Smith, plans to raise money for the Brain Tumor Research charity by running in this year’s London Marathon.
‘To answer the questions we have, such as what caused the brain tumour, how we stop cancer and what other treatments are available, I am going to run the London Marathon to raise awareness and much-needed funds to find these answers.’
Carol Robertson, national events director for Brain Tumor Research, thanked the couple for their support.
He added: In the UK, 16,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumor and just under 13 per cent of those diagnosed with a brain tumor survive more than five years compared to an average of 54 per cent across all cancers. .
‘We are determined to change that, but only by working together can we improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, a cure.
“We are so grateful for Tina and Lucy’s support and we will be there to cheer her on to the finish line in April.”
Mrs. Smith has created a fundraising page for his marathon effort.
Medulloblastoma is the second most common type of brain tumor found in children.
Although it can also be found in adults, this is very rare.
Cancer develops in the cerebellum, which is located in the back of the brain, near the brain stem.
It is considered an aggressive type of cancer that grows rapidly and spreads to other areas of the brain and the spinal cord.
A third of children with medulloblastoma in the UK are only diagnosed after the cancer has reached this most serious stage.
Medulloblastoma is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of three and eight, and data suggest that it is more common in boys than girls.
Potential symptoms include morning headaches, nausea or vomiting that often relieves headaches, double vision, balance problems, mood or behavior changes, and loss of appetite.