Family of Motherwell mum launch petition for brain cancer device on NHS

Jeana Watt was diagnosed with grade-four glioblastoma after suffering a seizure at home in June 2021.

The 48-year-old mum-of-three, from Motherwell, underwent surgery to have 95% of her brain tumour removed but within just four weeks it tragically grew back.

Now for the past six months she has been travelling to Cologne, in Germany, for eight days a month for life-prolonging treatment.

It comes after doctors said she could have just 18 months to live.

Jeana underwent major surgery to remove her tumour

The highschool teacher "with a heart of gold" is currently undergoing immunotherapy, which in a miracle twist has reduced her tumour by 30%, but she now hopes to secure an Optune machine.

It is widely available in Germany and the US and works by targeting the tumour then creating electric fields that disrupt cancer cell division, which could give her more years with her family.

The device costs around £20,000 a month and Jeana would need to fork out around £240,000 overall to benefit from it.

Her family have now backed a petition to have the device made available on the NHS so she doesn’t have to travel to the IOZK clinic in Cologne for treatment and be out of pocket.

Jeana is undergoing treatment in Germany

Her sister Patricia Watt, 47, told the Glasgow Times: “Jeana has the most deadly tumour you can get. It is heartbreaking watching her in so much pain.

“There is a device we can get in Germany called an Optune machine but it would cost £20,000 a month but could really prolong her life by years.

“There shouldn’t be a price on someone’s life. It is so frustrating that there is something in the world that could help her now but money is in the way.

“We are pushing the petition to have the Optune machine available on the NHS to help so many people in the same situation as my Jeana.

“It would be great if Scotland could really get behind it and get the signatures to 100,000 so it will be debated in Parliament.

“We are running out of time as we need another 65,000 signatures by September 11th. I think if the country could rally behind her we could do it.

“It doesn't just affect her, it affects thousands of people diagnosed who don't have the money to go abroad and elsewhere.”

Jeana's tumour has shrunk by 30%

Glioblastoma is an aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord.

It forms from cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells and can occur at any age, but tends to occur more often in older adults.

The condition can cause worsening headaches, nausea, vomiting and seizures.

Jeana with husband Stephan and grown children Danni, Ryan, and Liam

It is the fastest growing form of the glioma brain tumour and is extremely difficult to treat, with just 3.3% of patients surviving beyond two years.

Jeana and her family hope the introduction of the Optune device could give families like theirs more time.

It comes as they have spent around £100,000 on treatment and travel for the beloved teacher to give her the best chance possible.

Patricia added: “We have been going back and forth to Cologne for the best part of six months which has been an expensive journey.

“The family is just looking for ways to come up with more money to prolong her life.

“She's been going through a really hard time this year and still tries to smile and get on with it.

“We are eternally grateful for any donations or awareness you can raise for this terrible disease that steals our loved ones.”

You can sign the petition here and donate to her Gofundme here.