Woman diagnosed with brain tumor after routine eye test

A woman was diagnosed with a brain tumor after a routine eye test and given a second blow when doctors discovered she also had breast cancer four months later.

Elizabeth Craig, 55, had gone for a standard appointment at her local Specsavers in January 2022 when her optician noticed something unusual during the examination.

She was diagnosed with a meningioma after an MRI scan revealed a brain tumor pressing on her optic nerve.

At a follow-up appointment four months later, doctors spotted a suspicious nodule in Elizabeth’s right breast, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She had a mastectomy and lymph node removal, and paused treatment to get married in 2024, before undergoing brain surgery in February 2025 to remove her brain tumor.

Elizabeth, from Corby, Northamptonshire, said: “When they told me I had a tumor 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 was referred to Kettering General Hospital after the optician found it unusual that she couldn’t see out of her left eye but had no visible problems with the eye itself.

She was diagnosed in January 2022 and had further testing done – such as blood tests.

In May 2022, she had a follow-up CT scan at John Radcliffe Hospital and was referred to the breast clinic, and diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2022.

She said, “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.”

Elizabeth had a mastectomy and lymph node removal later that year, followed by radiotherapy in June 2023.

Once she was given the all-clear from breast cancer, she returned to John Radcliffe Hospital to discuss surgery for the brain tumor.

She chose to postpone the operation so she and Paul could get married in June 2024.

In February 2025, Elizabeth underwent a complex nine-hour procedure to successfully remove most of the brain tumor, which was later confirmed as non-cancerous.

Now, Elizabeth is taking part in Brain Tumor Research’s 88 Squats a Day in July challenge, aiming to complete 88 squats each day throughout the month. The total number of squats by the end of July symbolically represents the $3,685 (£2,740) it costs to fund a single day of research at one of the charity’s Centres of Excellence.

Elizabeth said, “Taking on this challenge is deeply personal. Until it happened to me, I didn’t realise how underfunded research into brain tumors 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 Tumor 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 squat challenge.”

People can go here to support Elizabeth’s 88 squats challenge.