Davina McCall to have surgery for rare brain tumour

"Keep me in your thoughts" - Davina McCall discusses her brain tumor.

Davina McCall has disclosed that she will undergo surgery to have a brain tumor removed.

The 57-year-old television host shared a video on Instagram revealing that she has been diagnosed with a rare kind of non-cancerous tumor known as a colloid cyst.

A benign tumor is not cancer, but these types of cysts generally grow at a slow pace, as noted by the Brainstrust charity.

"It has to be removed because letting it grow could lead to serious issues," McCall mentioned, also requesting, "Please keep me in your thoughts. I’m feeling positive."

In her video, she shared that the tumor was discovered unexpectedly.

"Several months back, I gave a presentation on menopause for a company, and in exchange, they offered me a health assessment, which I believed I would perform excellently on," she shared.

However, I discovered that I had a non-cancerous brain tumor known as a colloid cyst, which is quite uncommon—occurring in only three out of a million people.

So, I decided to ignore the situation for a bit, but eventually, I consulted several neurosurgeons. I gathered various perspectives and came to understand that I needed to have it removed.

"It's quite large for the area it occupies. It takes up a significant amount of room. Measuring 14mm in width, it's important to remove it because if it continues to grow, it could cause complications. Therefore, I'll be undergoing a craniotomy to have it taken out."

A craniotomy is a surgical procedure in which a doctor removes a section of the skull to excise a tumor.

"Remove the cyst, drain it, take it out, and there you have it," McCall stated.

In January, Davina McCall received an MBE at Buckingham Palace for her contributions to broadcasting.

While speaking with her partner Michael Douglas, she mentioned, "I'm doing alright. There have been highs and lows, of course. We've faced a lot together."

She mentioned that she anticipated staying in the hospital for around nine days following the surgery.

She expressed to her followers, "Please don't stress over my situation. I'm already handling that on my own."

"I'm not feeling overly anxious; instead, I'm in a positive mindset. I trust my surgeon and his team completely, and I'm letting them take charge of my care."

"He knows how to handle things, and I'll focus on improving later. I'll catch up with you afterwards."

Douglas mentioned that he would temporarily manage her social media accounts and shared a message with her video on her Instagram on Friday.

Hello everyone, it's Michael. I wanted to let you know that @davinamccall will be taking some time away from social media to focus on her recovery after her brain surgery.

She's doing really well and is being well taken care of. I'll share occasional updates from her account here for those who would like to stay informed.

I'm sure she'll take the time to read all the comments when she can, so don't hesitate to share your love. The encouragement from others holds incredible strength. Wishing everyone a wonderful day!

Understanding Colloid Cysts: What They Are

According to the Brains Trust, these formations usually occur in a fluid-filled space located in the center of the brain, and they are also filled with fluid.

These tumors make up under 2% of all primary brain tumors, and their growth rate and symptoms can differ from one individual to another, as stated by the charity.

They're commonly discovered while searching for something unrelated, and some doctors suggest taking a wait-and-see approach if the cyst is small and doesn’t cause any issues.

As they develop, they may obstruct the movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), leading to various symptoms such as headaches, vision issues, nausea, and even fainting. If left untreated, these obstructions can result in severe outcomes, including coma and, in extreme situations, sudden death.

"Thank You, Davina!"

The Brain Tumour Charity expressed to BBC News: "We all hope for the best possible results for Davina from this procedure."

"We are thankful that she has decided to shed light on this uniquely heartbreaking disease, serving as an inspiration to many."

We are dedicated to supporting groundbreaking research, advocating for significant changes in the system, and providing assistance to everyone affected by a brain tumour diagnosis.

Will Jones, the CEO of Brainstrust, stated: "Brain tumors do not discriminate; they can impact anyone and are more prevalent than many realize. In the UK, more than 80,000 individuals are currently facing a brain tumor diagnosis, with over 130 different types identified."

He mentioned that they were also "thankful to Davina" for revealing her story "honestly and openly."

"This will allow countless individuals dealing with a colloid cyst to feel recognized and more connected," he remarked.

The host received a special award at this year's National Television Awards.

McCall has had an extensive career in television hosting, featuring shows like Big Brother on Channel 4, Long Lost Family on ITV, and My Mum, Your Dad, as well as participating in Comic Relief and Sport Relief for the BBC.

Earlier this year, she received a special recognition award at the National Television Awards in honor of her significant contributions to the television industry throughout her career.

She actively advocates for raising awareness about menopause, inspired by her own hormonal changes that motivated her to emphasize women's experiences through her efforts.

Last year, she received the highest honor at the British Book Awards for her book Menopausing, which she co-authored with Dr. Naomi Potter.

The term "Davina effect" refers to the significant rise in interest for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that occurred following Davina McCall's 2021 Channel 4 documentary, "Sex, Myths and Menopause."