Stephen Metcalfe MP supports campaign to raise awareness of brain tumour symptoms in children

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, is supporting the national 'HeadSmart Campaign' organised by The Brain Tumour Charity, to raise awareness amongst parents and healthcare professionals of the symptoms of brain tumours in young people and children.

Stephen attended an event last week in the House of Commons hosted by The Brain Tumour Charity and The Danny Green Fund to learn first-hand how to recognise the symptoms. The Charity showed Mr Metcalfe the resources they have developed, including symtptoms cards and an innovative smartphone app to help people recognise the symptoms of a brain tumour.

Speaking after the event Mr Metcalfe commented: "Around 500 children and young people a year are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year,  nearly ten a week.”

"Early diagnosis is crucial. Symptoms of a brain tumour can present in children in such a way that they are frequently mistaken for less serious conditions such as viral infection, fatigue, migraine, even hay fever or depression.”

The main warning signs that parents should look out for are:

·         Persistent or recurrent vomiting

·         Persistent or recurrent headaches

·         Blurred or double vision

·         Poor balance and co-ordination

·         Abnormal eye movements

·         Fits or seizures

·         Behavioural changes, especially tiredness

·         Abnormal head position such as wry neck, head tilt or stiff neck

Mr Metcalfe added: "I urge all parents to get hold of the symptoms cards or download the smartphone app, as well as to be watchful for the symptoms. If they persist, they need to raise their concerns with their local GP as soon as possible."

Vice Chair of The Brain Tumour Charity, Neil Dickson, said: "We are very glad that Stephen Metcalfe MP could join us to raise awareness of this very important issue. It took 9 months for my daughter Samantha to be diagnosed with a brain tumour. Having received many calls from parents who experienced similar delays, my wife Angela and I strongly believed that more had to be done to reduce the time taken for a diagnosis. That is why The Brain Tumour Charity started the HeadSmart campaign together with our partner organisations, who are all leaders in this field. Tragically this comes too late for Samantha, but by increasing the awareness of symptoms among parents and healthcare professionals, it doesn't need to be too late for others."

Professor David Walker, Professor of Paediatric Oncology at the Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, said: "Brain tumours are fortunately rare, but they do happen, and it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose because the symptoms can often mimic less serious illnesses. Parents have no need to worry if their child occasionally experiences headaches, for example, but if symptoms come back frequently or are present for more two weeks or more, see your family doctor. The most important thing is that parents and family doctors know the symptoms of child brain tumours and make sure that possible cases are diagnosed as quickly as possible".

To find out more about the symptoms of brain tumours in young people or more about the national HeadSmart Campaign visit www.headsmart.org.uk.