Labor Senator for Tasmania, Catryna Bilyk encourages people to note International Brain Tumour Week, which runs from Sunday 1 November to Saturday 7 November.
The Week is being organised around the world by the International Brain Tumour Alliance (www.theibta.org) and is supported by Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (www.btaa.org.au), the only national advocacy group for brain tumour patients and caregivers in Australia.
Having undergone the removal of 2 benign brain tumours in 2008, Senator Bilyk is well aware of the considerable impact this cancer can have on those diagnosed and their loved ones.
With no known cause or specific high risk groups, brain tumours are difficult to detect. The best defence is to be aware of the signs such as vision problems, headaches, memory loss and changes in personality.
“Brain tumours can be fatal for many people as evidenced by the deaths this year of United States Senator Ted Kennedy and the greatly admired Professor Chris O’Brien in Australia.
“They occur in many forms and there are approximately 1400 people diagnosed with malignant primary brain tumours each year in Australia,” said Senator Bilyk.
“Many other people suffer with benign tumours and even those can have a considerable impact on the life of the sufferer, said Senator Bilyk.
Senator Catryna Bilyk Labor Senator for Tasmania
