It is set to be an emotional episode of Eastenders on Wednesday evening as viewers get to see the final hours of character Lola Pearce's life. Lola, who has been played by the actress Danielle Harold in the BBC soap since 2011, has been battling terminal cancer for months.
Following the news that her treatment is not working, residents of Albert Square have been preparing themselves for her passing. Speaking about taking on the hard-hitting storyline, the actress told RadioTimes.com: "It means so much to be trusted with a storyline like this - one that's close to many people's hearts.
"Sadly many of our viewers will be able to relate to Lola's story and it's been heartbreaking to speak to the families affected by brain tumours and hear their stories. They've been so amazing in sharing their experiences with me, and I'm so lucky to have them. I wouldn't be able to do so this storyline without their support".
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According to the NHS, brain tumours can affect people of any age, including children but they tend to be more common in older adults. In the UK, more than 11,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour each year, of which about half are cancerous. Many others are diagnosed with a secondary brain tumour.
What is a brain tumour?
A brain tumour is a growth of cells in the brain that multiplies in an abnormal and uncontrollable way. According to the NHS, brain tumours are graded according to how fast they grow and how likely they are to grow back after treatment.
Grade 1 and 2 are low grade, while grade 3 and 4 are high grade. There are two main types of brain tumours. One is a non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour, which are low grade and therefore grade 1 or 2 and means they grow slowly and are less likely to return after treatment.
Cancerous (malignant) brain tumours are likely to be high grade, therefore grade 3 or 4, and either start in the brain, known as the primary tumours, or spread into the brain elsewhere, known as the secondary tumours. They're more likely to grow back after treatment.
What are the signs and symptoms of a brain tumour?
The symptoms of a brain tumour depends on the exact part of the brain that is affected. Common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Seizures (fits)
- Persistently feeling sick, being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
- Mental or behavioural changes such as memory problems or changes in personality
- Progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Vision or speech problems
According to the NHS, sometimes you may not have any symptoms to begin with or alternatively they may develop very slowly over time.
Treatment for brain tumours
Your treatment will depend on various factors, such as the type of tumour, where it is in the brain, how big it is, how far it's spread, how abnormal the cells are, as well as your overall health and fitness. Treatments for brain tumours include steroids, medicines to help with symptoms, surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Organisations such as Brain Tumour Research, Macmillan Cancer Support and Stand Up to Cancer can provide help and support to those living with brain cancer and their loved ones.
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