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Mum's brain cancer symptoms dismissed as 'stress'

Oprah FlashWest Midlands
Libby Woolaston The image shows a woman standing in a hospital room taking a mirror photo while attached to multiple IV lines and a portable infusion pump on a drip stand. The person is wearing casual clothing, including a sweatshirt, joggers and trainers, with medical tubing visible on the arm and wrist. The room appears clinical and brightly lit, with medical equipment and signage visible in the background.Libby Woolaston
Libby Woolaston says her concerns were dismissed

A mum‑of‑three's brain tumour symptoms were initially dismissed as headaches caused by her children, she has said.

Libby Woolaston, 32, from Wolverhampton, first began experiencing persistent headaches in summer 2024 but claims a GP dismissed her concerns until she ended up losing her vision in one of her eyes.

"I felt completely ignored for months, no-one was listening to me. I knew something wasn't right, but I kept being told it was hormones, stress or depression," she said.

She was later diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour (AT/RT) – a type of cancer usually found in children under the age of three.

Libby Woolaston The image shows a woman with dark brown hair wearing a hospital gown, seated in a clinical setting, with a nasal dressing taped across the bridge of the nose and an intravenous line visible in one hand, suggesting recovery after a medical procedure.Libby Woolaston
The tumour was removed through her nose in a four‑hour surgery

The stay‑at‑home mum added: "One doctor even asked me if I had children and said: 'Do you not think it's just your children giving you a headache?'

"The pain became unbearable and I was taking painkiller after painkiller just to try and function day‑to‑day. I couldn't be the mum I wanted to be, and my quality of life was awful."

Following her diagnosis, the pituitary tumour was removed through her nose in a four‑hour surgery at a Birmingham hospital. She then underwent a lumbar puncture, radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

She added: "Now I see life very differently. I appreciate every single day I get to spend with my family. I don't want anyone else to go through what I did, so I would urge people not to ignore their symptoms. Trust your instincts and don't be afraid to push for answers – you deserve to be taken seriously."

Libby Woolaston The image shows a person lying on a hospital treatment table inside a clinical radiotherapy or scanning room. The person is wearing a rigid mesh head mask and is positioned carefully on the bed, suggesting preparation for head‑focused treatment. Medical equipment and control panels surround the table. Another person stands beside the bed, looking down at the patient, with one hand resting near the patient’s arm.Libby Woolaston
The mum-of-three is now cancer free and plans to undertake a 200km challenge for charity

Woolaston was given the news that she was free from cancer in February and has now decided to walk 200 km to raise money for research into brain tumours.

The funds will go towards the Brain Tumour Research charity.

Letty Greenfield, community fundraising manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Libby's story highlights the devastating impact brain tumours can have, as well as the urgent need for greater awareness and investment in research."

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