A CAMPAIGN to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of childhood brain tumours, is being backed by a Barry family.

Eight-year-old Layla-mae Cummings was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2013 after more than a year of health problems including seizures, memory loss, vomiting, headaches and blurred vision.

A CT scan showed nothing obviously wrong, doctors suggested she had an infection in her brain and all the while her health continued to deteriorate.

After 12 months and three cancelled appointments, Layla-mae had an MRI scan at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff which revealed a brain tumour.

She had surgery, but a follow-up scan in April last year showed more abnormal tissue in her brain.

The tumour is believed to be slow-growing, but she may need further treatment or surgery.

Mum Claire Cummings today (Monday, January 16), gave her backing to HeadSmart - a campaign run by The Brain Tumour Charity.

HeadSmart has already helped cut the average diagnosis time for a childhood brain tumour in the UK from more than 13 weeks to 6.5 weeks.

The re-launched campaign aims to bring that figure to below four weeks to save lives and reduce the long-term disability caused by childhood brain tumours.

Mrs Cummings said: “We know from our own experience how important it is for doctors and parents to recognise when a child might have a brain tumour.

“HeadSmart has had an impact already but there are still too many people out there who don’t spot the warning signs.

“Layla-mae was losing her memory and becoming weaker down one side. Then her personality started to change – she became very aggressive and angry.

“I knew there was something seriously wrong but no-one would take me seriously. They kept saying it was epilepsy and nothing else.

“When she eventually had an MRI scan and we were told that she had a brain tumour, it was devastating. At the same time I was so angry and also relieved that finally we knew what was wrong. I don’t think I had enough room for all of the emotions I felt at that moment.”

HeadSmart focuses on healthcare professionals, parents and teenagers in a bid to ensure young patients with possible brain tumour symptoms are referred for specialist help as quickly as possible.

The Brain Tumour Charity campaign manager, Hayley Epps said: “HeadSmart has two aims: to save lives and reduce long-term disability by bringing down diagnosis times.

“Relaunching the campaign will help us to achieve those goals by alerting more healthcare professionals, parents and young people to the signs and symptoms of the disease.

“What happened to Layla-mae shows very clearly why HeadSmart is so important.”

For details, visit www.headsmart.org.uk