A teacher’s persistent headaches were dismissed as a side effect of the contraceptive pill, only to reveal a brain tumor. Learn about early warning signs, misdiagnosis, and life-saving awareness.

A 26-year-old teacher’s story highlights the importance of taking persistent headaches and vision problems seriously. Holly Worswick, a PE teacher in Macclesfield, Cheshire, was first informed that her frequent headaches and eye problems were a result of the contraception pill. But more efforts to investigate it herself were met with another shocking revelation: she had a brain tumour the size of a grapefruit pressing against her right optic nerve.
Brain Tumour Early Symptoms Dismissed
Holly began to experience headaches despite having vision problems intermittently in February 2021. Initially, she believed that it could have been fatigue, but the pain and visual impairments did not cease after some time, prompting her to seek medical help from her GP. Her symptoms were explained by the contraceptive pill, and she was changed by the physicians to another one. Unfortunately, it was not followed by any other investigations at that moment.
“The symptoms persisted, so I was growing concerned,” Holly recalled. She chose to visit an optician who carried out an OCT scan. What the results provided was something concerning but also disturbing, as a huge bulk was pushing against her optic nerve.
Brain Tumour Diagnosed After Misdiagnosis
Holly rushed to the Macclesfield District General Hospital in 2021, on Tablet Day, namely, Valentine’s Day. Scans using MRI and CT proved the selected doctors were right; she had a brain tumour. “I was a bit confused, to be honest. I didn’t know what it meant until they told me it was a brain tumour. That is when it hit me,” she said.
The following tests established that the tumour was a meningioma grade 1, benign. Although not cancer, its size and placement were very dangerous to health. The first surgery could not take it off fully, and the complications occurred soon.
Brain Tumour Treatment
Since her diagnosis, the life of Holly has been a long and hard one. She contracted an infection and needed the second operation several weeks after her first surgery. She had to fly across parts of her skull and later have them replaced with a titanium plate, which was subsequently replaced with a biocompatible one.
Sadly, the tumour regrew in late 2021, leading to another surgery in January 2022. “I didn’t enjoy that Christmas, to be honest. It was awful all I could think about was the tumour,” Holly said.
Holly received her fifth surgery in early February 2024, with six weeks of proton beam therapy after it. Only in 2025 she believed that she was completely free from it, doctors noticed that the tumour appeared once again close to her ear canal. This necessitated the sixth operation which involved the removal of the eardrum that left her partially deaf on the right ear.
Brain Tumour Awareness
Through her tale of bravery, Holly chose to enter Miss England 2025, which will take place on October 3. “My entry is all about raising awareness of brain tumours. People think pageants are all about how you look, but they aren’t. It is about your story and what you have done for your community,” she explained.
Holly’s journey is a reminder that persistent health symptoms should never be ignored. Consult a doctor if you experience such kind of discomfort.
FAQs
When should persistent headaches be checked by a doctor?
If headaches are frequent, worsening, or accompanied by vision changes, nausea, or weakness, medical attention is needed immediately.
How is a brain tumour diagnosed after misdiagnosis?
Diagnosis usually involves imaging tests like MRI or CT scans, and sometimes further neurological examinations.
What are early signs of a brain tumor?
Symptoms can include persistent headaches, vision problems, nausea, balance issues, or sudden changes in behaviour.
Can contraceptive pills cause headaches?
Yes, some women may experience headaches as a side effect, but persistent or severe headaches should be evaluated by a doctor.
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