Beauty Queen's Brain Tumour Discovered During Routine Eye Test
A beauty queen's life was saved after a routine eye test revealed a brain tumour described as the size of a grapefruit. Holly Worswick, aged 26, visited her local Specsavers for a standard eye examination in 2021, unaware that this simple check-up would uncover a critical health issue.
Critical Discovery and Immediate Action
During the appointment, the optician performed an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan, which detected that Ms Worswick's optic nerve on the right side was four times larger than normal. Concerned by this abnormality, she was urgently referred to A&E, where MRI and CT scans confirmed the presence of a brain tumour. Within 48 hours, she underwent her first surgery to address the mass.
'If I didn't go for that check-up at Specsavers I probably wouldn't be here today because the tumour was the size of a grapefruit,' Ms Worswick stated, highlighting the importance of regular eye examinations. She expressed initial confusion and fear upon learning about the tumour, which forced her to pause her teacher training and take significant time off work.
Multiple Surgeries and Ongoing Challenges
Following the initial operation, Ms Worswick faced a series of medical procedures. She required four additional brain surgeries and an ear surgery due to complications and tumour regrowth. After her first surgery, further scans at Salford Hospital indicated the need for more interventions, including a biopsy to determine if the tumour was cancerous. Fortunately, it was found to be non-cancerous, but it continued to grow back, necessitating repeated operations.
In July 2021, a titanium plate was fitted to replace part of her skull removed due to infection, later replaced with biocompatible material. Despite these efforts, a CT scan in November 2021 showed the tumour had regrown, leading to a fourth brain surgery in January 2022. Ms Worswick described that Christmas period as awful, with the looming surgery dominating her thoughts.
Recent Developments and Treatment
In February 2024, another scan revealed new tumour growth, resulting in a fifth brain surgery followed by six weeks of targeted proton beam therapy. Ms Worswick celebrated the end of this treatment by ringing the bell in August 2024, a tradition marking the completion of cancer therapy. However, in early 2025, she began experiencing hearing issues, and doctors discovered the tumour had returned near her ear canal, causing symptoms like popping, leaking, and crackling sounds.
This recurrence required surgery that removed her eardrum and closed the ear canal, leaving her slightly deaf in her right ear. Throughout these challenges, Ms Worswick has remained resilient, using her platform to advocate for brain tumour awareness.
Beauty Pageants and Advocacy
Ms Worswick has been competing in beauty pageants since she was 16, finding that they helped build her confidence and connect with new people. In November of last year, she was a finalist at the Miss England pageant, representing her hometown of Macclesfield. She emphasised that pageants are not solely about appearance but about personal stories and community impact.
'My entry is all about raising awareness of brain tumours. People think pageants are all about how you look, but it isn't. It is about your story and what you have done for your community,' she explained. Ms Worswick aims to inspire others by showing that life can continue after a diagnosis and encouraging people to recognise symptoms.
Symptoms and Awareness
Common symptoms of brain tumours include:
- Headaches and seizures
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness and mental changes, such as memory problems
- Progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Vision or speech problems
Ms Worswick urges individuals to seek medical advice if they notice any unusual signs. 'Because it was discovered by accident, I think it's really important that you know the signs and symptoms and to get something checked out if they think that something isn't right,' she advised. She takes pride in her journey, stating that if she has influenced even one person to get an OCT scan, she considers it a victory.
