Man shares unusual brain tumour signs including strange behaviour and loss of smell
Shaun Turner became "really horny and aggressive" as a result of the orange-sized mass on his brain.
A man who suddenly became "horny and aggressive", later discovered the personality change was a sign of a brain tumour.
Shaun Turner, 38, from East Cowes, Isle of Wight discovered he had an orange-sized mass on his brain in 2014 after he also lost his sense of smell and his eyesight deteriorated.
"I'm normally very chilled and easygoing with loads of energy," the dad-of-two says of the sudden personality change. "But the effects of the tumour made me really tired all the time and really horny and aggressive."
Shaun says hearing his diagnosis "didn't feel real".
"My family and friends were all so worried about it that I didn't feel able to show any weakness or that it fazed me," he explains. "I had a positive attitude and genuinely believed I would be alright, but I was terrified inside."
Read more: Dad put his tiredness down to long Covid but instead it was a brain tumour growing for 10 years, Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read
At the same time, he had been gradually losing his sight, so his wife booked him in for an eye test, where an anomaly was uncovered.
Following a scan, Shaun was found to have an orange-sized mass on his brain. He underwent an operation to remove the tumour in October 2014, but says there are still small traces of cancer in his brain so he is now monitored during regular scans and underwent radiotherapy in December 2020.
Sadly, the family had another brush with cancer, when they lost Shaun's mum, Jill Turner, to a glioblastoma - a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumour, in December 2018.
“For the disease to have struck our family twice was shocking," explains Shaun's brother, Daniel, 36, an electrician. "We have asked doctors the likelihood of passing it onto our children but they have said it is purely bad luck. My brother has had genetic testing and there is nothing to prove it is in your family gene.”
Read more: Mum living with cancer discovered she had a brain tumour after forgetting why she was shopping, Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read
Daniel was amongst of team of nine cyclists who took on the 68-mile Isle of Wight Randonnée on Saturday 1 July to raise money for the charity Brain Tumour Research.
Dozens of cyclists completed the route around the island raising more than £10,000 for the charity.
Dr Karen Noble, director of research, policy, and innovation at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age.
"To have two diagnoses in the same family is an extremely rare occurrence, less than a one in a million chance.
"If we are to change the stark facts around survival of this disease, then we simply must invest more into discovery science – the route to a cure.”
Read more: Woman who put her seizures down to stress shocked to discover she had a 6cm brain tumour, Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read
Brain tumour personality changes
In the UK, more than 12,000 people each year are diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Common signs and symptoms of a brain tumour include headaches, eye and vision-related problems (such as squinting and double-vision), continuing nausea, vomiting and extreme or sudden drowsiness.
But according to the NHS mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality could also be a sign of a potential brain tumour.
Brain Tumour Research says brain tumour personality changes can sometimes occur in people who have been diagnosed, with one in three people the charity spoke to claiming to have experienced personality changes caused by a brain tumour or its treatment.
These changes can range from a lack of motivation to irritability and even, aggression.
But, it is important to note not everyone who is affected by a brain tumour will experience personality changes.
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The charity says brain tumour behaviour and personality changes can include:
irritability or aggression
confusion and forgetfulness
apathy (lack of interest and motivation)
depression and flattening of emotion
loss of inhibitions or restraints and behaving in socially or culturally unacceptable ways
anxiety
mood swings or extreme moods
difficulty planning and organising
difficulty identifying emotions in yourself and others.
Managing personality changes will depend on what’s causing them, according to Brain Tumour Research.
If swelling around the brain is causing the changes, steroids can be prescribed to help reduce the effect of the swelling. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be used to help when personality or behaviour changes are caused by a tumour affecting the pituitary gland.
The charity also recommends seeking professional support if personality changes are impacting you or your relationships.
Where to go for help
Contact Brain Tumour Research's Support and Information Services
0808 800 0004 Free from landlines and mobiles
support@thebraintumourcharity.org
Phone lines open Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:00
