Wolverhampton Mum’s Brain Cancer Symptoms Dismissed as ‘Stress’

Libby Woolaston, a 32-year-old mother of three from Wolverhampton, first experienced persistent headaches in summer 2024. She consulted her GP multiple times, but her concerns were repeatedly dismissed as stress, hormones, or depression related to her children.

Woolaston described feeling completely ignored for months, despite knowing something was wrong. She recalled one doctor asking if her headaches were simply caused by her children, saying, “Do you not think it’s just your children giving you a headache?”

Her symptoms worsened over time, becoming unbearable and requiring constant painkillers just to function. She said she could not be the mother she wanted to be and her quality of life was awful.

Eventually, Woolaston lost vision in one eye, prompting further investigation. She was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour (AT/RT), a rare and aggressive cancer typically found in children under three years old.

The tumour was removed through her nose in a four-hour surgery at a Birmingham hospital. Following the procedure, she underwent a lumbar puncture, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Woolaston was declared cancer-free in February 2025. Since then, she has decided to undertake a 200km walking challenge to raise money for brain tumour research.

Reflecting on her experience, she said: “Now I see life very differently. I appreciate every single day I get to spend with my family. I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did, so I would urge people not to ignore their symptoms. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to push for answers – you deserve to be taken seriously.”