Cumbernauld woman calls for more awareness of brain tumours ahead of Tom Parker funeral
Fans of The Wanted singer are being asked to pay their respects to the star later.
Last updated 20th Apr 2022
A Cumbernauld woman, who was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumour 9 years ago, is calling for more awareness of the illness ahead of the funeral of The Wanted singer, Tom Parker.
The 33-year-old died from brain cancer last month just two weeks after the band's comeback tour finished.
His wife Kelsey Hardwick is asking fans to line the route to the private service in London where it will be screened outside.
Caroline Burns first started to feel unwell in 2013 not long after starting the training for a new job.
"The stuff I was reading wasn't registering in my brain"
She told Hits Radio: "I was suffering from horrendous sore heads and I battled with doctors for a year before finding out about the tumour.
"It was as if the stuff I was reading wasn't registering in my brain which was really frustrating.
"Months later it was explained to me that the positioning of the tumour in my brain was affecting my short term memory."
"My jaw would just seize up"
Glioblastomas normally affect around 2,500 people every year in the UK and are one of the most aggressive forms of cancer.
Caroline added: "I would have moments where I wouldn't be able to speak or communicate.
"My jaw would just seize up and I had no clue what it was."
Husband Gary claims doctors kept telling Caroline she had migraines but he could tell his wife was suffering from something more severe.
He said: "Several doctors did different tests on Caroline and they told us they've never seen a tumour react in this way before."
"There was no information"
The couple talk of their frustration that most people don't really know about glioblastomas and feel it's sad that it takes for a superstar like Tom Parker to die of the illness before it becomes a talking point.
Caroline said: "It's a horrible thing to say, but when I had the diagnosis all those years ago there was no information on the tumour.
"Things are starting to change now and more people know about it, thankfully."
Doctor Anthony Chalmers is the Chair of Clinical Oncology at the University of Glasgow.
He told Hits Radio: "Unfortunately glioblastomas are the most common form of primary brain tumour and they have a poor prognosis.
"We have to do better when it comes to treating them.
"Many people in hospitals all around the world are working to come up with better and more effective treatment."