BBC Antiques Roadshow star Theo Burrell back in hospital amid incurable cancer battle
Antiques Roadshow star Theo Burrell has shared an update on her health after being told she only had months to live almost two years ago following a brain tumour diagnosis.
BBC Antiques Roadshow's Theo Burrell has been hospitalised again as she continues her fight against an incurable brain tumour. The beloved antiques expert shared her concerns over critical scan results after being admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, providing fans with an update on her ongoing health struggle.
Theo has kept the public informed about her health since being given only months to live nearly two years ago. Diagnosed in 2022 with grade 4 glioblastoma - an aggressive form of cancer that originates in the brain or spinal cells - the 36-year-old was confronted with a dire prognosis.
The BBC personality was initially crushed by the news and worried about the potential spread of the cancer. Despite this, she has received treatments that have successfully reduced the tumour to just 10 percent of its original size, although she still experiences significant side effects like headaches and nausea.
Nevertheless, Theo is determined to make a difference by embarking on a daring fundraising challenge. She announced to her Instagram followers: "On Saturday 25th, I'm heading to Aberdeen and abseiling down the King's Tower, all 131 feet of it!
"The last time I did anything similar I was 19 - not exactly yesterday! If you can help me raise some funds (all for @braintumourrsch ) I'd be very grateful - link in bio. Thank you.", reports the Mirror.
Theo, a mum-of-three, reflected on her challenging journey: "Today also marks 23 months since I was diagnosed with brain cancer. I really had no idea whether I would still be here when I was given the news that I had a brain tumour. I didn't take a life expectancy, but I know my chances of still being well (so far) with no regrowth (so far) were not particularly favourable."
She continued to share her emotional turmoil: "I continue to find the mixture of emotions a rollercoaster, and little landmines of fear and upset go off without any warning at times. Behind the scenes I'm still working on tangible changes for us all and progress continues in Scotland which we could all benefit from.
"As I head into a scan this afternoon, and the anxiety about my upcoming results looms, I'm hanging onto my old friend hope to see me through."
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Previously, Theo candidly spoke about her battle with brain cancer: "This time last year I was diagnosed with an incurable aggressive grade 4 brain tumour. Since then I've had surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy to keep the cancer under control. But my friends and I are doing something positive in light of this by running a fundraising auction - with many incredible lots!"
She concluded with a stark reminder: "Despite 12,000 people being diagnosed every year with a primary brain tumour, survival rates have barely improved in 40 years."
Cancer signs and symptoms to look out for, according to the NHS
CHANGES IN BOWEL HABITS See your GP if you've noticed these changes and it's lasted for more than a few weeks: blood in your poo, diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason, a feeling of not having fully emptied your bowels after going to the toilet, and pain in your stomach (abdomen) or back passage (anus).
BLOATING See a GP if you've had bloating for three weeks or more.
LUMP IN YOUR BREAST See your GP if you notice a lump in your breast or if you have a lump that's rapidly increasing in size elsewhere on your body. Your GP will refer you to a specialist for tests if they think you may have cancer.
COUGHING, CHEST PAIN AND BREATHLESSNESS Contact your GP if you've had a cough for more than three weeks. Symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain may also be a sign of a severe (acute) condition, such as pneumonia. See your GP straight away if you experience these types of symptoms.
UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS You should also see your GP if you've lost a lot of weight over the last couple of months that cannot be explained by changes to your diet, exercise or stress.
BLEEDING You should also see your GP if you have any unexplained bleeding, such as blood in your urine, bleeding between periods, bleeding from your bottom, blood when you cough, and blood in your vomit.
MOLES See your GP if you have a mole that: changes shape or looks uneven, changes colour, gets darker or has more than two colours, starts itching, crusting, flaking or bleeding, or gets larger or more raised from the skin.
For more information, visit the NHS cancer page or for the latest cancer news, research updates and real life stories, visit Express Health.
The NHS cautions that symptoms of a brain tumour can range from persistent headaches and seizures to ongoing nausea, memory loss, and worsening issues with vision and speech.
Health experts urge individuals to promptly seek medical guidance if they suspect any issues, emphasizing that early detection of cancer significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment.
The NHS cautions: "It can sometimes be cured if caught early on, but a brain tumour often comes back and sometimes it isn't possible to remove it. Speak to your care team if you'd like to know what the outlook is for you, as it varies from person to person."
