TV presenter Annabel Giles has died aged 64 after battling an “aggressive” brain tumor diagnosed just four months ago, her family announced last night.
The actress is best known for co-hosting the ITV series Posh Frocks and New Hoses with Sarah Greene and has also appeared on a number of panel and reality shows over the years.
In July, she was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, a type of fast-growing brain tumor that, once discovered, can have a life expectancy of just a few months.
Annabel underwent brain surgery and radiotherapy and developed “a passion” for raising awareness of her condition as part of her “lifelong commitment to helping others”.
Around 2,500 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma each year in the UK and 12,000 in the US.
Here, MailOnline reveals the warning signs of a glioblastoma brain tumour.
Brain tumors can cause personality changes, especially if they are located in the frontal lobe of the brain, which regulates personality and emotions. Communication problems, seizures and fatigue may also occur
Annabel on Good Morning Britain last year in London before she was diagnosed with a brain tumour
Personality changes
When a brain tumor swells and grows, it puts pressure on the healthy brain cells around it, which can affect brain function.
This can lead to personality changes, especially if the tumor is in the frontal lobe of the brain, which regulates personality and emotions.
Common changes in temperament include increased irritability, aggression, confusion and forgetfulness, as well as moodiness and lack of interest and motivation.
If the tumor grows near the pituitary gland, changes in hormone levels may occur. According to the Brain Tumor Charity, this can have a significant impact on emotions and sex drive.
fatigue
Brain tumors can cause extreme fatigue leading to muscle pain, exhaustion after small tasks and too much sleep.
Fatigue can make it harder to make decisions and think clearly, and can cause anxiety or depression.
That’s because the growth of a tumor and the body’s response to it involves the destruction of tumor cells and tissue repair, which requires a lot of energy, says the Brain Tumor Charity.
This means your body works harder and uses the energy it normally needs for daily tasks to fight the tumor.
However, this fatigue can also be caused by overcoming difficulties in remembering and solving problems, which can also drain energy.
Communication problems
Forgetting words, losing the thread of a conversation or difficulty speaking are signs of communication problems.
According to the Brain Tumor Charity, this symptom also occurs in around one in five people with a brain tumour, although this depends on where the tumor is located.
The frontal lobe is involved in language production and the temporal lobe is involved in language comprehension. If there is a tumor in one of these places, the pressure from the tumor can cause problems.
If it is located in the left hemisphere of the brain, it can cause speech and language problems, according to the charity, because this is where the language areas are typically located.
Memory problems
Long- and short-term memory problems can be caused by a brain tumor or its treatment.
The Brain Tumor Charity estimates that half of patients experience these symptoms.
This can cause loss of memories that occurred before the tumor developed or before treatment began. The tumor can also cause problems recalling memories after you have had or been treated for a brain tumor.
Annabel Giles previously starred in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here
She subsequently appeared as a panelist on numerous entertainment shows such as “Hat I Got News For You” and “Through The Keyhole”. Pictured: Annabel Giles appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain in August 2019
If the tumor is in the frontal or temporal lobe, the likelihood of memory loss is greater.
Symptoms can also be caused by treatment when a surgeon has to remove cells responsible for memory.
Attack
According to the Brain Tumor Charity, up to two in three people with a brain tumor will experience epilepsy or a brain tumor seizure.
This is the most common first symptom leading to a brain tumor diagnosis in adults.
A seizure occurs when abnormal electrical activity occurs that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain.
If you have repeated seizures, you may be diagnosed with brain tumor epilepsy.
When most people think of a seizure, they imagine a seizure in which a person loses consciousness, their limbs twitch, and the body stiffens.
But there are many types of attacks. They can cause a sense of déjà vu, strange tastes and smells, a sense of alienation and strange visions such as flashing lights.
Visibility problems
Brain tumors can cause various vision problems such as: Eg loss of vision, dry eyes, double vision and sensitivity to light.
One in three people with a brain tumor report sight problems, says the Brain Tumor Charity.
This can be caused by the location of the tumor. For example, if the tumor causes swelling of the optic disc at the back of the eye, it can lead to vision problems.
A growing tumor can also crowd out healthy brain tissue, including the large cranial nerves in the brain.
This can put pressure on the optic nerve and affect your vision.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
