Man, 38, who became ‘really horny and aggressive’ gets diagnosed with a brain tumour
A man was diagnosed with a brain tumor after he suddenly became ‘really horny and aggressive’.
Shaun Turner, from East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, was diagnosed in 2014 with an orange-sized mass in his brain after undergoing the personality change.
The 38-year-old was already gradually losing his sight and sense of smell – two other telltale symptoms.
An eye test booked by his wife then raised concerns among medics who referred him for a brain scan, where the tumor was discovered.
An operation to remove it in October 2014 – which required him to endure 62 staples over his head – proved successful.
Shaun Turner from East Cowes on the Isle of Wight was diagnosed in 2014 with an orange-sized mass in his brain after undergoing the personality change. Surgery to remove it in October 2014 – which entailed having 62 staples over his head – proved successful
But the father-of-two was later forced to undergo radiotherapy in December 2020 to remove ‘very small traces’ of the remaining cancer, he claimed
Mr Turner’s family was once again devastated by the disease in December 2018 after his mother, Jill Turner, was discovered to be suffering from a glioblastoma – a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor. Pictured Shaun (right) with his mother and brother Daniel (left)
However, the father-of-two was later forced to undergo radiotherapy in December 2020 to remove “very small traces” of the remaining cancer, he claimed.
Mr Turner, who works as a boatswain on Red Funnel ferries, said: ‘I had personality changes. I am normally very laid back and easy going with a lot of energy.
“The effects of the tumor made me very tired all the time, really horny and aggressive.
He added, “In all honesty when I found out it didn’t feel real. All my family and friends were all so concerned about it that I didn’t feel like it was showing any weakness or that it was throwing me off my feet.
“I had a positive attitude and honestly believed it would work out, but inside I was terrified.
“I believe there are very small traces left, for which I had radiotherapy in December 2020.”
Now he needs regular checkups and scans to keep an eye on the cancer.
According to the Brain Tumor Charity, more than 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year – about 33 people a day.
It is estimated that at least 88,000 children and adults are currently living with a brain tumor in the UK.
Meanwhile, an estimated one million Americans are living with a primary brain tumor, according to the National Brain Tumor Society.
Also in 2023, about 94,000 people from the US will receive a diagnosis.
Brain tumors can cause personality changes, especially if it’s in the frontal lobe of the brain, which regulates personality and emotions.
Common brain tumor changes include increased irritability, aggression, confusion, and forgetfulness, as well as mood swings and a lack of interest and motivation.
But Mr Turner’s family was devastated by the disease for a second time in December 2018 after his mother, Jill Turner, discovered she was suffering from a glioblastoma – a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor.
It is the most common cancerous brain tumor in adults and often requires surgery to remove as much as possible of the tumor, followed by a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
But it can be difficult to remove all of the growth, since glioblastomas have tendrils that extend to other parts of the brain.
According to the Brain Tumor Charity, the average survival time for glioblastoma patients is only 12 to 18 months, with a quarter surviving more than a year and only five percent surviving more than five years.
Ms Turner was initially misdiagnosed with a nervous breakdown and underwent intensive radiotherapy. But she died just four months later.
An eye test booked by his wife then raised concerns among medics who referred him for a brain scan, where the orange-sized tumor was discovered. In the photo is a scan image of his brain tumor at the front of the brain
Mr Turner’s brother, Daniel, also from East Cowes, was part of a team of nine cyclists that took on the 68-mile Isle of Wight Randonnée on 1 July to raise money for the Brain Tumor Research charity. Mr. Turner, wearing glasses, is pictured behind four cyclists
Dozens of cyclists completed the route around the island, raising over £10,000 for charity
Mr Turner’s brother, Daniel, also from East Cowes, said: ‘That the disease has hit our family twice has been shocking and we have asked doctors if we are likely to pass it on to our children but they have said it’s just bad luck.
“My brother has been genetically tested and there’s nothing to prove it’s in your family gene — it’s just tremendous luck.”
The electrician added: ‘The treatment my mother underwent in such a short time caused side effects including extreme fatigue and you could see how it affected her physically.
Ms Turner was initially misdiagnosed with a nervous breakdown and underwent intensive radiotherapy. But she died just four months later. Pictured with Mr Turner in October 2013
“Looking back with what we know now, we may have chosen a different treatment path.
‘Supporting a charity focused on brain tumor research is vital so that we can help find better treatment options and ultimately find a cure for the disease.
“It’s too late for my mom, but for people like Shaun who are living with the disease, we need to continue brain tumor research and bring it in line with advances in treating other cancers.”
The 36-year-old was among a team of nine cyclists that took on the 68-mile Isle of Wight Randonnée on July 1 to raise money for the Brain Tumor Research charity.
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 Tumor Research, said: ‘We are sorry to hear this has happened to Daniel’s family, but we are grateful for all of his fundraising efforts.
‘Brain tumors are random; they can affect anyone at any age.
She added: ‘Having these two diagnoses in the same family is an extremely rare occurrence, less than a one in a million chance.
“If we want to change the grim facts about surviving this disease, we just need to invest more in discovery science – the path to a cure.”