Elizabeth Craig, 55, received a further blow when she was diagnosed with breast cancer four months later
A woman received a brain tumour diagnosis following a routine eye examination and faced a devastating double blow when medics uncovered breast cancer just four months afterwards. Elizabeth Craig, 55, had attended a standard appointment at her local Specsavers in January 2022 when her optician spotted something abnormal during the check-up.
Following an MRI scan that revealed a brain tumour pressing against her optic nerve, she received a meningioma diagnosis. During a subsequent appointment four months later, medics identified a worrying nodule in Elizabeth’s right breast, leading to a breast cancer diagnosis.
She underwent a mastectomy and lymph node removal, taking a break from treatment to tie the knot in 2024, before having brain surgery scheduled for February 2025 to extract her brain tumour.
Elizabeth, from Corby, Northamptonshire, explained: “When they told me I had a tumour behind my eye, I felt completely overwhelmed. It didn’t seem real. I had gone in expecting to get some new glasses, and within days I was facing conversations about brain surgery.
“I immediately assumed it was cancer, and my mind went to the worst-case scenario. Getting two diagnoses like that, so close together, was a lot to process. It felt like my life was spiralling.”
Elizabeth received a referral to Kettering General Hospital after the optician found it peculiar that she couldn’t see from her left eye despite having no apparent issues with the eye itself. She received her diagnosis in January 2022 and underwent additional examinations, including blood tests.
In May 2022, after a follow-up CT scan at John Radcliffe Hospital, she was ushered to the breast clinic and faced the grim diagnosis of breast cancer.
Opening up about her ordeal, she shared: “I didn’t tell many people at first about this terrifying news. I had only been with my partner Paul for six months at the time, and I didn’t want to burden him. But he was amazing and supported me every step of the way.”
Following a mastectomy and lymph node removal, Elizabeth braved through radiotherapy in June 2023. Post-recovery from breast cancer, she revisited John Radcliffe Hospital to deliberate on brain tumour surgery.
Choosing love over immediate surgery, Elizabeth delayed the operation to tie the knot with Paul in June 2024. Come February 2025, she endured a nine-hour surgery that largely excised the brain tumour, which thankfully turned out benign.
Now, Elizabeth is channelling her energy into Brain Tumour Research’s 88 Squats a Day in July challenge, committing to 88 squats daily for the entire month. The squat count by July’s end will symbolise the £2,740 needed to sponsor a day’s research at a charity Centre of Excellence.
Reflecting on her motivation, Elizabeth said: “Taking on this challenge is deeply personal. Until it happened to me, I didn’t realise how underfunded research into brain tumours is, even though they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
“I want to do what I can to raise awareness and help make a difference. Even though I’m still recovering, I feel ready to give something back.”
Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Elizabeth’s story highlights how a simple eye test can lead to lifesaving discoveries. Her courage in facing not just one but two major diagnoses, and her determination to raise awareness through this challenge, is inspiring. We’re so grateful for her support and wish her luck for the squats challenge.”
To back Elizabeth’s 88 squats challenge, visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/690160037069780/.