A mother-of-one who blamed her brain fog and memory to the menopause has told about her destruction in the diagnosis of an unusable brain tumor.
Jane Roberts, 46, started to experience confusion and forgetfulness earlier this year, but assumed that it was a harmless symptom of perimenopause.
She mentioned the problems during a general practitioner appointment for her doctor to express concerns, the dementia could be early.
A CT scan soon revealed the real cause: a malignant brain tumor. Jane was diagnosed with a glioma on March 21, 2025.
The standard treatment for this type of cancer is surgery to remove as much tumor as possible, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
But in the case of Jane, a follow-up scan showed that the masses were in her thalamus in the middle of her brain-worth this was unusable.
The mother of one, from Liverpool, is now waiting for the results of an MRI scan to determine how advanced the cancer is.
Since then she has started sharing her story on Tiktok in an attempt to increase consciousness, with some videos that yield more than 100,000 views.
Jane Roberts, 46, started to experience confusion and forgetfulness earlier this year, but assumed that it was a harmless symptom of perimenopause.
Jane hopes that her experience will encourage others not to reject unusual symptoms, no matter how small they seem.
In a video, Jane explained how the test started: ‘I went to the doctor with what I thought were the perimenopause symptoms – part of that was a little brain fog and memory loss.
“She immediately jumped on it. The doctor was so worried about what I said about my memory that she thought I had dementia early. ‘
But after she referred her for a CT scan, her doctor delivered the devastating news: it was not dementia – it was a ‘annoying brain tumor’.
While Jane is still waiting for an MRI to confirm how advanced the cancer is, the tumor is deeply in the thalamus of the brain – described by doctors such as the ‘central system where everything goes in and out’.
Even after searching for a second opinion in the renowned Cleveland Clinic, she was told that the operation was not an option.
In a more recent update, she told the followers: ‘I am waiting for my next scan towards the end of June to see how it progresses – whether it has grown or stopped.
“All next steps – biopsy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy – are at risk because of where the tumor is.”
In a more recent update, she told the followers: ‘I am waiting for my next scan towards the end of June to see how it progresses – whether it has grown or stopped
Her 10-year-old daughter even gave the tumor a nickname ‘betty’ nadat the couple had a heartbreaking conversation about her diagnosis.
Gliomas are brain tumors that form in the glial cells – supporting cells that surround and protect nerve cells in the brain.
About 2500 people are diagnosed every year with gliomas in the UK, with around 24,000 cases in the US.
They make up about a quarter of all brain tumors and can vary from slowly growing to aggressive, fast -growing forms.
Symptoms vary depending on where the tumor is, but can include headache, memory loss, attacks and changes in mood or behavior.
When a glioma is unusable – because it is deep in the brain or near vital structures – doctors can focus on reducing or delaying its growth.
This is usually done with targeted radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which can help relieve the symptoms and expand the survival, but is rarely curative.
In some cases, patients can also be offered palliative care to manage the symptoms and to maintain the quality of life.
In a video posted last week, Jane shared that ‘Waiting is the most difficult part’ while she keeps hoping for an update.
Despite everything, Jane tried to remain positive – refer her thoughts and feelings to regular updates
In an Instagram message she added: ‘Doing nothing is really a difficult place to be in. It is a completely mental game. A strange kind of torture.
“You might die, maybe not, but you will probably do that – but we can’t be sure when it can be quickly.”
In another video, filmed just a few days after she was told that the tumor was unusable, she said: “I really woke up sadly today.
“It’s the reality. I don’t know enough. I don’t know if Radio and Chemo can completely remove it or if this will simply be a case to reduce it.
‘Then it will grow again, then we will do this and this will just be my life until it gets me. It is just difficult to stay really strong. ‘
Despite everything, Jane tried to stay positive – reject her thoughts and feelings in regular updates.
In a message from a week ago she wrote: ‘It takes all my energy to continue to fight the negative thoughts and the messages from Mr Doom and Gloom (my surgeon) constantly echo in my ears. It is such a struggle to stay happy or even neutral. ‘
‘But I do know that although Betty (yes we have mentioned my tumor) is here to stay for the time being that I am able to be happy during this shit show. So try to embrace the lows because they will push me to the highlights. ‘
In her most recent Instagram post she said she appreciates the little things, such as going to a hair appointment.
‘I just assumed that I would start treatment and lose my hair and it would all happen so quickly.
“But I am now a few hair appointments and brave enough to book another in 6 weeks,” she wrote in the caption.
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