Update on brain tumour story

A Scottish father is living with glioblastoma after months of odd smells and balance problems.

Strange smells signal glioblastoma battle

In January 2024, Steve Turnbull began falling ill after tasting gravy and then was hit by a wave of unusual smells, including candy floss. He also developed headaches and trouble with balance, leading to an MRI in June that found a brain mass the size of a tennis ball. Surgery on July 12 reduced the tumour, and doctors pursued radiotherapy plus chemotherapy to control it. Pathology confirmed glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable cancer. He has since undergone second-line chemotherapy (PCV) as the tumour progressed and is awaiting a follow-up MRI to decide the next steps. He and his wife Heather, a Police Scotland manager, marked progress by taking part in the Dundee Kiltwalk and raising funds for the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence.

The Turnbulls are not just sharing a medical tale; they are turning it into action. They set a fundraising target of £1,000 and surpassed it with more than £1,750 raised, while relatives plan to run the Edinburgh Marathon next year. Medical staff were honest about the prognosis: the goal is to ease symptoms and prolong stability, not cure. Steve has remained determined, saying he will pursue clinical trials and travel if needed to help others. Ashley McWilliams of Brain Tumour Research praised his persistence and the value of raising awareness about this often confusing illness. The story highlights a broader concern: brain tumour research is underfunded, even as it remains a leading cause of cancer deaths among younger people, underscoring the need for sustained support and clearer paths to early diagnosis.

The article spotlights a quiet crisis in health care: rare, early signs can mask a dangerous illness, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Candy floss smells or other odd sensory changes may seem trivial, but they can be clues that prompt people to seek care sooner. The Turnbulls’ fundraising shows how patient stories can mobilize communities where public funding for brain tumour research still lags behind the scale of the problem. This piece also underscores the human side of treatment choices, from aggressive surgery to the reality that even with modern therapy, glioblastoma has a grim prognosis. It raises a broader question about how health systems prioritize research funding when the burden falls most heavily on younger patients and families. The balance between hope and realism is delicate, and the Turnbulls’ example demonstrates how personal resolve can drive both care and advocacy forward.

Highlights

Courage meets a call for stronger support and research funding.