A woman from Nottinghamshire has made the heart-wrenching decision to sell her home to fund life-extending treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer not currently available on the NHS. Jo Fuller, a 51-year-old dyslexia specialist from East Leake, was diagnosed with glioblastoma – one of the most devastating and aggressive cancers – while on holiday in Australia in December 2024.
Ms Fuller's diagnosis came after she suffered a seizure and stopped breathing on Boxing Day 2024. Following initial brain surgery in Australia, she returned to the UK for standard radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, subsequent scans revealed the tumour had continued to grow aggressively and spread. With conventional treatments proving ineffective, Ms Fuller opted to fund private specialist care, including hyperthermia treatment, regular consultations with an alternative oncologist, repurposed medication, and nutritional supplements. Hyperthermia involves heating tumour tissues to make cancer cells more vulnerable to other therapies – a treatment that is not routinely funded by the NHS for brain tumours, as its use in this context is largely considered experimental.
According to Brain Tumour Research, around 3,200 people in the UK are diagnosed with glioblastoma each year. Shockingly, only one-third of patients survive beyond a year, and a mere 4% live for five years or more, highlighting the urgent need for more effective treatments.
A government spokesperson acknowledged that 'more needed to be done' in this area, stating that the government is supporting 'ground-breaking trials' aimed at improving outcomes for individuals living with brain tumours. However, Ms Fuller's case underscores the current gaps in NHS provision for certain advanced cancer treatments and the financial burden placed on patients seeking alternative options.
Ms Fuller continues to fund three-monthly consultations, repurposed medication, and supplements, costing hundreds of pounds each month. She has also set aside funds for potential future treatments, including a possible immunotherapy treatment in Germany, which is not licensed in the UK, should her tumour show further growth.
In a statement, Brain Tumour Research called on the government to increase investment in brain tumour research and expand access to clinical trials. They argue that patients like Ms Fuller should not be forced into such profound financial decisions to access potentially life-prolonging treatments. By sharing her story, Ms Fuller hopes to raise awareness of glioblastoma and advocate for accelerated research, ultimately providing more hopeful prospects for future patients.