Cornish mum urges others to know signs after losing son to rare brain tumour

A mum from west Cornwall is urging parents to know the signs, after losing her son to a rare brain tumour.

Ethan Cass from Pendeen was diagnosed back in June 2019 after his parents noticed he had become cross-eyed, and he was taken for an eye test.

Mum and dad were told to take him to A&E at West Cornwall and, after a thorough check, the eight-year-old was sent to Treliske.

There, the youngster was sent for a CT scan and the family heard the devastating news that their son had an incurable tumour on his brain.

The family were immediately sent to Bristol Children's Hospital, where Ethan underwent an MRI which confirmed he had DIPG. He had months of treatment, including radiotherapy.

Tragically, Ethan lost his battle with cancer just before Christmas last year.

Now his mum Kim wants to make sure other parents know the signs and symptoms as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

She told Pirate FM things like headaches, sickness, a loss in weight and changes to the eyes call all be signs of something more serious.

"Everything was fine, he was absolutely perfect, then in the space of about 24 hours, 48 hours, our lives were turned completely upside down.

"He went from going to school, playing with his friends, to being in ICU in hospital."

Kim Cass, Ethan's mum

Kim launched a petition calling for more funding for research into childhood cancers with the worst survival rates.

She has also set up her own charity Assemble for Ethan so they can help other families.

"For the kids you're trying to pretend everything is normal, you're still going out and putting a smile on your face, and you just try and brush it under the carpet but it's always there in the back on your head what's actually going on.

"December was horrible, I didn't want Christmas and didn't want New Year, but you've still got to celebrate because you still have another child."

Kim Cass, Ethan's mum

• childhood cancer awareness month
• pendeen
• ethan cass