I was plagued by a strange burning smell – it turned out to be a silent killer
A CHANGE in your sense of smell is usually nothing to worry about and in most cases, it can be brought on by a cold.
But when dad-of-two Neil Danziger became plagued by a phantom smell, he knew he had to see a GP.
The 47-year-old said he would often experience a strong smell of matches or fireworks, which lasted 10 seconds.
He thought he may have had a blood blockage, which is usually caused by high cholesterol, when he first sought help for his symptoms, which started in December 2020.
But rather than a blockage, medics revealed that the recruitment worker was in fact living with a brain tumour.
Brain tumours are often referred to as a 'silent killer', as symptoms can be mistaken for headaches or nausea, which many people will often experience.
Initially, Neil wanted to get checked out as he previously suffered from high blood pressure and cholesterol, and his grandfather John Sive died of a heart attack age 60.
After a few tests, Neil was told that he had a pea sized brain tumour, and was in complete shock.
Neil, from Queen's Park, London said: "Since early December 2020 I'd been having lightheaded moments.
"Often if I'd been doing something I'd need to sit down, and it was followed by a strong sense of smell."
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Around 12,288 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year in the UK, Cancer Research states.
There are over 5,000 deaths from the illness - with just 12 per cent of those having being diagnosed with one surviving.
When he got the diagnosis, Neil said he felt surprised, but felt his game face come out.
"I felt as optimistic as I possibly could because it was so small, only 1cm.
"I'd heard of people having plum or apple-sized tumours and I had a pea. So, I thought 'I have a pea, I can do this'," he said.
What are the brain tumour syptoms you need to know?
THE NHS states that a brain tumour is a growth of cells in the brain that multiplies in an abnormal uncontrollable way.
Guidance states that the symptoms vary depending on the exact part of the brain affected, but common symptoms include:
- headaches
- seizures
- persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
- mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
- progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- vision or speech problems.
You should see a GP if you have these symptoms, particularly if you have a headache that feels different from the types you usually get or if they are getting worse.
Neil went to see a neurologist and had an operation to remove the tumour on February 8, 2021.
Neil checked himself into The Wellington Hospital, North London, and was in the operating theatre by the afternoon.
He said: "As far as they could tell, they had got it all. Everything went pretty well and they were happy with my recovery.
"The next day I was feeling OK but a bit sore on the side of my head, where they'd operated."
After the operation, a biopsy of his tumour was sent off to the labs.
It was first identified as a low-grade pilocytic astrocytoma - slow-growing tumour that arises from cells.
Neil's tumour was surrounded by cells from a mutated gene more commonly found in high-grade diffuse midline gliomas - primary central nervous system tumours - so doctors recommended a more aggressive treatment plan.
He had six weeks of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy followed by six more months of chemotherapy.
Since treatment, Neil and his wife Victoria have been raising funds for .
The couple have raised £16,000 for the charity and this week were invited to the charity's Centre of Excellence at the Queen Mary University of London.
The hospital is leading the way in research into glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and aggressive form of brain tumour in adults.
Neil raised the money by taking part in the popular Brain Tumour Research Walk of Hope fundraiser last year.
He said: "The Walk of Hope was such a rewarding and enjoyable experience, and it was invigorating to be out having finished my fifth round of chemo just a few days before.
"I was joined by lots of my friends, including several who used to drive me to my radiotherapy sessions and then walk around Regent's Park with me after, so to walk 13 miles across London with them was fantastic."
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Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: "We're really grateful to Neil for all his fundraising so far and hope that his and Victoria's visit to our Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London offered a useful insight into all we're doing to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, find a cure.
"Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet, historically, just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. This has to change."
