Sarah Bradley, 39, from Somerset, never expected a routine check-up following a car accident to change her life. After the crash in March 2024, an MRI scan revealed a four-centimeter cancerous brain tumour — a discovery that ultimately saved her life.
Known for her active lifestyle and love of socializing, Sarah was stunned by the diagnosis. “My first thought was that I’m going to die,” she recalls. “Panic attacks overwhelmed me; some days I felt unable to breathe or stop shaking.”
Initially, blood tests showed no cause for concern, but the brain scan told a different story. Neurologists confirmed the mass was a rare grade one tumour called a sub-ependymoma. Sarah was presented with two choices: undergo surgery or opt for careful monitoring.
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Choosing to delay surgery, Sarah hoped to avoid invasive treatment. However, subsequent scans showed the tumour was worsening. Eventually, she faced surgery with surprising calm. “Even on the operating table, despite knowing the risks, I didn’t feel scared,” she says.
Post-operation, Sarah grappled with anxiety and fear for her future, moving back in with her parents for support. Counseling helped her process the trauma, and the long road to recovery began. In January 2026, doctors declared her tumour gone with no signs of recurrence, effectively curing her.
Though Sarah has some lingering side effects—loss of peripheral vision in her left eye and heightened sensitivity to light and sound—she is determined to reclaim her life. Her friend Megan Lane ran the London Marathon to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research, inspired by Sarah’s courage.
The journey has been tough, but Sarah’s story is one of hope, resilience, and the lifesaving power of early detection.