When Elizabeth Craig, 55, booked a routine eye test in January 2022, she expected that she would leave with new glasses, no transfer for further reviews.
“I expected to get some new glasses,” she says, “and within a few days I have given talks about the brain surgery.”
Elizabeth from Corby, Northamptonshire, had noticed that her view will take off in one eye but was not awaiting anything seriously. During her appointment at Specsavers, however, the optician noticed something unusual. Elizabeth couldn’t see properly from her left eye – but there were no visible problems in the eye itself.
The optician referred them for further reviews. Soon afterwards, Elizabeth was subjected to an MRI scan that showed that she had a meningioma – a brain tumor that pressed her optic nerve.
“When they told me I had a tumor behind my eye, I felt completely overwhelmed,” she says. “It didn’t seem real. I immediately assumed that it was cancer and my mind went to the worst case.”
I had expected to get some new glasses, and within days I converted to brain operation with conversations.
A second shocking diagnosis
Just four months later, while the follow-up tests in John Radcliffe Hospital, the doctors discovered something different, a suspect knot in Elizabeth’s right breast. In May 2022, breast cancer was diagnosed.
“At first I didn’t tell a lot of people about these terrible news,” she says. “Back then I was only with my partner Paul for six months and didn’t want to burden him. But he was incredible and supported me every step of the way.
“Two diagnoses like this, as close to each other, was a lot to process. It felt like my life was spiral.”
Elizabeth was subjected to mastectomy and lymph node removal in June 2023. After receiving the all-Cloar of breast cancer, she returned to her neurology team to discuss the operation for the brain tumor.
It felt like my life was being spiral.
But instead of hurrying into another major procedure, Elizabeth met a different choice: she decided to wait so that she and Paul could marry first.
They tied together the knot in June 2024, and in February 2025 Elizabeth underwent a nine -hour operation to remove most of the tumor, which was later confirmed as not cancer -like.
Raise awareness through recovery
Elizabeth is now recovering from both diagnoses and leads her strength to help others. She is currently participating in the challenge of brain tumor research on the day in July and gathering money and awareness of one thing that she now feels deeply connected.
“This challenge is deeply personal,” she says. “Until it happened to me, I did not notice how under -financed research on brain tumors are, even though they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.”
Although she has still recovered, she is determined to make the challenge and to increase the £ 2,740 that it costs to finance a single research day in one of the charging centers of the charity. “Although I still relax, I feel ready to return something,” she explains.
Brain tumors kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
Ashley McWilliams, Community Development Manager at Brain Tumor Research, voted Elizabeth’s history how important it is to keep routine health tests on the eye. “Your story shows how a simple eye test can lead to life -saving discoveries.”
How often should you carry out an eye test?
While Elizabeth’s story is incredibly rare, she shows how routine appointments can see more than just myopia.
In her case, there were no external symptoms about a decline in their eyesight. Therefore, participation in regular eye tests is of crucial importance – not only when you notice.
According to the NHS, adults should bring their eyes to stock every two years or more often if they are recommended by an optician.
Eye examinations can help recognize visual problems and signs of major health problems – including glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure and occasionally brain conditions.
You should book an urgent eye test if you:
-
Sudden vision or blurry seeing
-
Visual disturbances (flashing lights, swimmers, double view)
-
Persistent eye pain or redness
-
A noticeable change in your field of vision (e.g. empty spots, shadow)
-
Difficulties to see from one eye how Elizabeth has experienced
If you notice one of these symptoms or if something just doesn’t feel right, don’t wait. Book an eye test or speak to your family doctor.
Additional reporting of SWNS
Read more stories in real life: