THE family of a 14-year-old with a brain tumour is backing a national campaign to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms.

Jasmine Hancock, from Whiston, was finally diagnosed with a brain tumour in November 2015, after GPs dismissed her symptoms as hormonal changes and sinusitis.

Now her mum Katie Lockett is speaking out in support of HeadSmart, a campaign run by The Brain Tumour Charity, to raise awareness of the symptoms of childhood brain tumours.

Jasmine’s symptoms began in April 2015 with spontaneous vomiting and headaches.

These then became more frequent and painkillers stopped controlling the pain.

Mum-of-three Katie says she took Jasmine to the GP more than seven times only for her to be continually misdiagnosed.

Eventually Jasmine was rushed to hospital, where she suffered a seizure and underwent a CT scan.

This revealed a brain tumour on her pituitary gland and dangerous levels of hydrocephalus.

Katie, 33, said: “I was in shock when they told me she had a tumour.

“They said she needed life-saving surgery and I was told to say goodbye to her as she might not make it.

“I was so angry and upset it had got to that point where Jasmine was placed in such a dangerous position.

“Doctors repeatedly told me the symptoms that Jasmine was experiencing were down to hormone changes.

“I even took Jasmine to A&E, where they said she had sinusitis.

“I felt completely helpless and didn’t know how to help my child, and nobody listened to me.”

The Rainhill High School pupil underwent surgery to help alleviate the pressure in her brain and has since undergone six surgeries and 30 rounds of proton beam therapy in Jackonsville, Florida.

Jasmine’s tumour cannot be fully removed due to its position.

She has check-up scans every four months.

Katie added: “The past two years have been tough on us, but Jasmine has coped so well.

“However, she will have very real, lifelong side effects of this ‘benign’ tumour and may have late effects of treatment, including proton radiation and lifelong hormone replacement.

“There is such a misconception that benign tumours are ‘fine’.”

Hayley Epps, from The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We wish Jasmine the very best and are so grateful to her and her family for helping us raise awareness and continue our drive to reduce diagnosis times and save lives.”

n For more about the campaign visit headsmart.org.uk.