Six little known brain tumour warning signs after Benjamin Zephaniah died just eight weeks after diagnosis

Benjamin Zephaniah’s family announced his death aged 65 on December 7, just eight weeks after the poet and actor was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The Birmingham-born Peaky Blinders star originally became known for his works about refugees and healthy eating. 

His family’s statement read: ‘It is with great sadness and regret that we announced the death of our beloved husband, son and brother in the early hours of this morning 7th December 2023.

‘We shared him with the world and we know many will be shocked and saddened by this news.’

With the much-loved writer and orator diagnosed so soon before his death, and roughly 16,000 annual brain tumour diagnoses in the UK according to Brain Tumour Research, what are the warning signs of a brain tumour which might go unnoticed? 

Communication difficulties 

Struggling with speaking, forgetting words and losing the thread of a conversation are all signs of communication difficulties.  

This symptom is experienced by as many as one in five people who have a brain tumour, though it depends on where their tumour is located, the Brain Tumour Charity says. 

The frontal lobe – specifically Broca’s area – is involved in language production and the temporal lobe – Wernicke’s area – is involved in understanding language. If a tumour is in either of those locations, pressure from the tumour is likely to cause issues. 

If it is located in the left hemisphere, it may trigger language and speech difficulties, as this is where the language areas are generally found, according to the charity.

Fatigue

Brain tumours can also cause extreme tiredness even after smaller tasks and can also lead to aching muscles and over-sleeping. 

Tiredness can make it harder to think clearly including in decision making, and could trigger anxiety or depression. 

This is because the growing of a tumour and the body’s response to it involves the destruction of tumour cells and the repairing of tissue, which uses a lot of energy, says the Brain Tumour Charity. 

Your body is, therefore, working harder and putting energy that is usually required for menial tasks into fighting the tumour. 

But this tiredness can also be caused by trying to overcome the difficulties in remembering and solving problems, which can feel draining.  

Personality changes 

In some instances, alterations to the brain caused by disease or injury can have a material impact on the sufferer’s character.

As a brain tumour swells and grows, it puts pressure on the healthy brain cells around it, which can affect the brain’s function. 

This can trigger personality changes, especially if the tumour is located in the frontal lobe of the brain, where personality and emotions are regulated.

Common changes in temperament include increased irritability, aggression, confusion and forgetfulness, as well as mood swings and a lack of interest and motivation.

If the tumour is growing near the pituitary gland, it can cause changes in hormone levels. This can have a big impact on emotions and sex drive, according to the Brain Tumour Charity. 

Memory difficulties 

Having trouble remembering things both long-term and short-term can be caused by a brain tumour or treatment for it.

The symptoms can also be caused by treatment if a surgeon had to remove cells responsible for memory. 

The Brain Tumour Charity estimates that half of sufferers will experience these symptoms.

Tumours and their treatment can impact memories formed beforehand or those that would otherwise be formed afterwards. 

Tumours in the frontal or temporal lobe are, again, more likely to make someone experience memory loss.

Seizures

The Brain Tumour Charity say up to two in three people diagnosed with a brain tumour will experience epilepsy or a brain tumour seizure. 

It is the most common first symptom that leads to a brain tumour diagnosis in adults. 

A seizure happens when there is a burst of abnormal electrical activity that disturbs the way the brain normally works.

Repeated seizures can be diagnosed as brain-tumour related epilepsy. 

When most people think of a seizure, they imagine a convulsive seizure, where someone loses consciousness, their limbs jerk and body goes stiff. 

But there are many types of seizures. They can trigger a feeling of deja vu, strange tastes or smells, a feeling of being spaced out and strange vision, such as seeing flashing lights.  

Sight problems  

Lastly, brain tumours can cause a variety of vision problems, such as vision loss, dry eyes, double vision and light sensitivity. 

One in three people with a brain tumour report problems with their vision, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.   

This can be because of the position of the tumour. For example, if the tumour causes swelling on the optic disc at the back of the eye, it can cause problems with vision. 

A growing tumour can also squeeze healthy brain tissue, including the main cranial nerves in the brain, which can cause pressure on the optic nerve, as a result, affecting your sight.