On her 32nd birthday, Dimity Francis received news that changed her world - she had brain cancer. What started as a sinus infection and neck pain quickly escalated, leading to the discovery of a grade two astrocytoma.
“I went from thinking I had a simple infection to being told I had brain cancer,” Dimity, a mother of two young kids, recalls. “Within a week, I was in surgery.”
Dimity, who is a member of Brain Cancer Australia’s Consumer Advisory Panel, shared her story with us to shine a light on the impact of brain cancer and the urgent need for progress.
Dimity's diagnosis came with an unusual twist - she had spent 10 years managing a neurosurgery department, only to find herself as a patient in the system she once helped run. “In some ways, it was a blessing. I knew my surgeon and felt very comfortable in their care. But having so much knowledge was also terrifying,” she admits.
After a full tumour resection last year, Dimity is now on a watch-and-wait protocol, undergoing scans every three months to monitor for recurrence. This cycle brings immense anxiety - a feeling many brain cancer patients know too well.
“Lying in that MRI machine, all I can think about is the last time I was there, when I was diagnosed. It’s like reliving the worst moment over and over again.”
“The question I keep asking is: how have we not got an answer yet? It’s frightening. This disease has been around for so long, yet nothing has changed. I hold on to the hope that while I’m on this journey, a breakthrough will come.”
Her experience has given her a unique perspective on the gaps in patient care, particularly for young families navigating life with brain cancer. "It's important to sit down before surgery and discuss the potential implications, such as not being able to drive for six months. This can have a big impact on your daily life, and for families like mine, that change can be significant."
Dimity is now a member of the Brain Cancer Australia Consumer Advisory Panel, using her voice to highlight these challenges and ensure the patient experience is at the centre of research initiatives. “So many young people are being diagnosed, and the impact ripples beyond the patient - it affects the entire family. I want to make sure their voices are heard.”
For Dimity, one of the most difficult parts of living with brain cancer is the uncertainty that follows treatment. While her tumour was successfully removed and she is currently stable, the question of what comes next is never far from her mind. “They can’t tell you if or when it will come back — and that’s the hardest part,” she says. “And if it does come back, it could transform into a higher-grade tumour. There are so many unknowns, so many what-ifs — your mind just goes on this frantic spiral.”
Despite her exposure to neurosurgery, Dimity was still shocked to learn just how little progress has been made in brain cancer treatment. She had spent a lot spent a lot of time talking to patients, hearing their stories and organising their care. But getting diagnosed herself shone a light on the lack of treatment options.
She believes the Australian Brain Cancer Registry is a step in the right direction. The Registry will identify and reduce variations in patient care and treatment. “Right now, treatment depends too much on which doctor you see, rather than what’s best for the tumour. I see that play out in the support groups – there’s a lot of gaps in the standard of care being provided across Australia. If we can make sure that every patient gets the best possible care, no matter where they are, it will bring such a relief to patients.”
Her message to others facing a diagnosis? Don’t put pressure on yourself to have all the answers. Lean on your support network, and be prepared for uncertainty.
“I was expecting surgery, and then clear-cut answers. But it’s not like that. You’ve got brain cancer, but then the message is: we can’t do anything else right now." While it’s hard to be in that kind of limbo, Dimity is focusing on making the most of every moment.
“I just want to spend as much quality time as possible with my kids, my husband and my family. Work will always be there, but family is what matters most."
