Graham learnt first-hand how to recognise the symptoms at the event run by The Brain Tumour Charity and The Danny Green Fund, learning about the resources they have developed, including symptoms cards and an innovative smartphone app to help people recognise the symptoms of a brain tumour.
Graham said: 'Around 500 children and young people a year are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year, nearly ten a week.
'Early diagnosis is crucial. Symptoms of a brain tumour can present in children in such a way that they are frequently mistaken for less serious conditions such as viral infection, fatigue, migraine, even hay fever or depression.
'The main warning signs that parents should look out for are:
• Persistent or recurrent vomiting.
• Persistent or recurrent headaches
• Blurred or double vision
• Poor balance and co-ordination
• Abnormal eye movements
• Fits or seizures
• Behavioural changes, especially tiredness
• Abnormal head position such as wry neck, head tilt or stiff neck
'I urge all parents to get hold of the symptoms cards or download the smartphone app, as well as to be watchful for the symptoms. If they persist, they need to raise their concerns with their local GP as soon as possible.'
To find out more about the symptoms of brain tumours in young people or more about the national HeadSmart Campaign visit www.headsmart.org.uk.
Be ‘Headsmart’ about childhood tumours