THE mother and aunt of a man who was diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable brain tumour were at Westminster as MPs were told of the “unbearable” burden of the disease.

Julie Whitby, from Middlesbrough, and Lynda Venus, from Darlington, were in London for a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours as it published a report on the economic and social impacts faced by patients and their families.

Julie’s son, Shaun Whitby, who lives in Middlesbrough, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme in August 2017 after suffering a seizure whilst changing his new-born daughter’s nappy. The 36-year-old underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy and awaits the result of a scan next month which will reveal his prognosis.

She said: “Shaun had just landed an exciting new job as a process technician when he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. That was August 2017 and he hasn’t been able to work since. The immediate loss of income was all the more devastating as Shaun and his wife Julia had just welcomed their first child together.”

Brain tumours – a cost too much to bear? is the report of a Parliamentary inquiry into the economic and social impacts of brain tumours which received more than 200 online submissions from patients and their families and comprehensive written submissions from charities and academics.

Sue Farrington Smith, chief executive of the charity Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are extremely grateful to Lynda and Shaun for sharing their personal story which demonstrates why we must continue to highlight this issue and do everything we can to improve outcomes for brain tumour patients.

“Understanding the very high ongoing costs of brain tumours is vital and the Government must find additional ways to minimise these costs. We will continue to influence and find ways to minimise this unique burden through a combination of further research funding, earlier diagnosis, additional benefits, and improved post-treatment support for brain tumour patients and their families."

For further details visit www.braintumourresearch.org