Antiques Roadshow specialist Theo Burrell has delivered a raw and emotional update on her ongoing battle with an aggressive brain tumour, revealing the devastating physical toll of her chemotherapy treatment.
The Gruelling Reality of Treatment
The 38-year-old BBC expert, who joined the popular antiques programme in 2018, was diagnosed with a grade four glioblastoma brain tumour in June 2022. While she recently shared the positive news that scans show no active cancer cells, the side effects of her treatment have been severe.
In a candid update, Burrell described being "flattened" by chemotherapy-induced fatigue and suffering from regular, debilitating headaches. She also endured a frightening seizure-like episode that affected her vision, leading to a hospital check-up.
A Mixed Message of Hope and Struggle
In September, Burrell posted a hopeful update alongside a photograph of a sunset, confirming that the drug Temozolomide was successfully keeping the cancer at bay. However, she was brutally honest about the cost.
"Despite the positive update, I've had an extremely tough time on cycle 10 of chemotherapy," she wrote. "The combination of the two had me in bed for days on end, with new side effects which challenged me both mentally and physically."
The specialist explained that the treatment's impact forced her to cancel plans with friends, which left her feeling profoundly low. "It's been draining, and even though I'm so close to completing my treatment plan, the thought of any more chemo is making me miserable," she admitted, while resolving to continue with her next cycle.
Becoming a Force for Change
Following her diagnosis, which took six months and came with an initial prognosis of just three months to live without surgery, Burrell has channelled her experience into activism. In 2023, she became a patron of the charity Brain Tumour Research.
She now campaigns vigorously, meeting with politicians and highlighting systemic failures in the healthcare system that leave some cancer patients without adequate support. Upon her appointment as patron, she stated: "Being told you have an aggressive brain tumour is absolutely terrifying, but I want to reassure people that I’m living with cancer, not dying from it."
Her mission is clear: to raise awareness, accelerate research, and improve outcomes for others facing similar diagnoses. She remains a powerful voice, advocating for greater investment in brain tumour research to ultimately find a cure.
