Antiques Roadshow star Theo Burrell has given an update on her battle with a brain tumour and shared her ongoing health anxiety when attending routine check-up appointments.
Burrell was diagnosed with brain cancer back in 2022 and first began talking about her journey on her Instagram account in January 2023 where she posted an image of herself and penned: “I’m Theo, and I was diagnosed with a grade four brain tumour (glioblastoma) in June 2022 after around six months of symptoms.
“I was 35 years old. Despite various trips to the doctors, my brain tumour was missed, until I had a CT scan at my local A&E (Edinburgh Royal Infirmary). My symptoms included pressurised headaches, sickness, problems with my vision, pulsating tinnitus and pins and needles.
“These were all as a result of a 5cm tumour in my temporal lobe, on the right-hand side of my brain.”
Since her diagnosis, Burrell has been open-minded about her recovery and has become an advocate for those also suffering from a brain tumour, taking on some of the biggest challenges in her life.
She recently gave an update about how she was doing and the work she continued to do to raise awareness for the illness, with her fans avidly following her journey.
Taking to her Instagram today, Burrell posted an image of two women abseiling and penned: “On Saturday 25th, I’m heading to Aberdeen and abseiling down the King’s Tower, all 131 feet of it! The last time I did anything similar I was 19 – not exactly yesterday!
“If you can help me raise some funds (all for @braintumourrsch) I’d be very grateful – link in bio. Thank you.
“Today also marks 23 months since I was diagnosed with brain cancer. I really had no idea whether I would still be here when I was given the news that I had a brain tumour. I didn’t take a life expectancy, but I know my chances of still being well (so far) with no regrowth (so far) were not particularly favourable.
“I continue to find the mixture of emotions a rollercoaster, and little landmines of fear and upset go off without any warning at times. Behind the scenes, I’m still working on tangible changes for us all and progress continues in Scotland which we could all benefit from.”
Theo recently gave an update on her health journey
Touching on the side effect of anxiety she feels as a result of her health battle, she concluded: “As I head into a scan this afternoon, and the anxiety about my upcoming results looms, I’m hanging onto my old friend hope to see me through.”
Burrell previously opened up about the moment she found out she had brain cancer and wrote on her own segment for The Telegraph: “I [Googled] and I read that it could lead to the loss of your eyesight and that’s what triggered me to go to A&E at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh with my mum in June 2022.
“We saw quite a junior doctor who listened carefully and put me through a CT scan. About 90 minutes later, he came back and I could tell by his face that it wasn’t good. He said: ‘I’m really sorry, but we’ve found a 5cm mass on the right side of your brain’.
“I think I asked, ‘Is it cancer?’ ‘Yes,’ he said. He told me they needed to admit me now and they could operate. I remember saying, ‘I feel really sorry for you, having to give me this news’.
Theo was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022
BBC
“He was gentle, calm, kind. That’s all I could think of in that moment.”
“I’ve had radiotherapy and chemotherapy – all the treatment ended in March 2023. Now, it’s just scans every three months. I’ve never wanted to know my life expectancy.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
