BBC Scotland presenter Glenn Campbell has given fans a major update on his cancer battle and revealed that he stopped treatment.
The broadcaster was diagnosed with a brain tumour after he was rushed to hospital following a bike crash in June 2023.
The frightening incident left Campbell, from Islay, with ten broken ribs and a bloodied face.
An MRI scan later alerted doctors to the cancer and he underwent a gruelling operation to remove most of the tumour.
And now nearly a year on from his shock diagnosis, Campbell has told fans that he has stopped his chemotherapy treatment.
H admitted that his immune system is struggling to bounce back between the numerous rounds and he has to “give my body a break”.
And despite finding the situation “frustrating”, the political editor said it will allow him to “make the best of the summer”.
Campbell even hinted that the break in his treatment could let him return to work.
My immune system was struggling a bit to bounce back between rounds…Taking a break will keep further chemo as an option to return to in future, if required. Keeping going just now might have made that impossible
Glenn Campbell
He explained that he would be excited to return to the world of politics with the upcoming election in July looming.
He shared the update in a candid post on social media yesterday.
The post on Facebook read: “I have stopped chemotherapy – at least for now.
“I completed half my course of six rounds.
“I have not stopped because it’s not working.
“I have not stopped because it’s already done the job.
“I won’t know how effective or otherwise my treatment has been until much later in the year.
“In the meantime, the medical thinking is to give my body a break and let it recover properly.
“My immune system was struggling a bit to bounce back between rounds.
“This is apparently quite common.
“Taking a break will keep further chemo as an option to return to in future, if required.
Good for you Glenn and positive as always amazing! You’re an inspiration to us all
Facebook user
“Keeping going just now might have made that impossible.
“It is a bit frustrating – yes. But there are definitely advantages.
“I can now plan to make the best of the summer and I may be able to get a little bit more involved in general election coverage than would otherwise have been possible.
“Some people wonder why on earth I would want to do any work.
“Because – believe it or not – I actually enjoy it.”
Loyal followers flocked to the comments to praise Campbell and wished him well during his recovery.
'The situation looked very bleak'
He said: “For about six weeks, the situation looked very bleak. The most likely scenario seemed to be that I had a glioblastoma – a fast growing cancerous tumour for which the average life expectancy after diagnosis is 12 to 18 months.
“I could hardly believe it. I would probably be dead before I was 50 – assuming I could safely get through surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible.
“The hardest thing was to tell my children Cameron, 20, and Katie, 17, what was happening to me. Getting through that without breaking down was a relief.
“I was surprised to discover that I am not afraid of dying. It turns out my biggest fear is FOMO – the fear of missing out.
“Missing out on growing old with my wife. Missing out on seeing my children complete their journeys into adulthood.
“Missing out on their graduations, weddings and the arrival of any children they might have.
“I told family and friends that I loved them and hoped for the best.”
One person said: “Take the most of the break Glenn but hopefully see you on the campaign trail. We need your insightful reporting!”
Another added: “That is good news so enjoy your summer and we all look forward to seeing your happy face back on the screen”.
Someone else wrote: “You have the right attitude Glenn! Remain positive and all you can do is to try and move forward being optimistic as you clearly are. All the very best.”
And a fourth posted: “Good for you Glenn and positive as always amazing! Thinking of you and please just don’t overdo, you’re an inspiration to us all”.
While a fifth chimed in: “Good to have a break Glenn and let all the treatment you’ve had work away whilst you get a bit stronger! Nice of Rishi to arrange a General Election so you can keep busy over the summer!”
Campbell has launched a fundraiser to help raise money and support for Brain Tumour Research.
So far, the JustGiving page has raised £21,400 out of it’s £50,000 target.
In it, he wrote: “If you would like to give the brain tumour patients of tomorrow faster diagnosis, better treatment and longer lives – please make a donation or join our fundraising family.”
What are thhe symptoms of a brain tumour?
THE symptoms of a brain tumour vary depending on the exact part of the brain affected.
Common symptoms include:
- headaches
- seizures (fits)
- persistently feeling sick (nausea), 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
Sometimes you may not have any symptoms to begin with, or they may develop very slowly over time.
Credit: NHS