'Doctors scanned my head after crash and what they found saved my life'

A woman's life was saved after scans following a car crash revealed dangerous condition. Sarah Bradley 39, from Somerset, was left in “complete shock” after a large mass was found on her brain during a check-up MRI. Sarah said: “My first thought was [that] I’m going to die. All the fear and anxiety came to the surface. I started having panic attacks daily, sometimes hourly. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, I was constantly shaking and I cried everyday.” Before the accident in March 2024, Sarah found herself in the gym most days and loved going on short trips. She was extremely sociable; but that all changed in an instant. On March 13, 2024, Sarah was told her blood tests were fine, but the large mass on her brain rang alarm bells. She was referred to neurology and had another MRI, which confirmed the mass was a cancerous tumour that measured four centimetres. Luckily, it was operable and so she was given two options: either go through the invasive procedure or stay on surveillance. As she wasn't ready for surgery, she chose the latter – but after two scans, it was clear that her case was only deteriorating. She said: “It didn’t really feel real. Even on the operating table, I didn’t feel scared, despite knowing there was a risk I might not wake up.” Sarah’s mass was confirmed to be a sub-ependymoma; a rare grade one tumour. Medics told her to “live life” but the aftermath of her ordeal suddenly hit. She added: “I felt terrified to be on my own. I became so anxious about my health that I moved back in with my parents for about three months. “I just couldn’t cope alone. I eventually had counselling, which helped me process everything. It’s been a long and difficult journey, but I’m incredibly grateful to be alive.” In January 2026, Sarah was told there is no trace of the tumour and was effectively deemed cured. She has one more scan to go before being discharged. While she’s lost peripheral vision in her left eye and is more sensitive to light, as well as noise, it no longer controls her life. Her friend, Megan Lane, 35, ran the London Marathon in support of Sarah and to help raise funds for charity Brain Tumour Research. She said: “Seeing Sarah go through the uncertainty, treatment and emotional rollercoaster was heartbreaking. “It brought back memories of my dad’s diagnosis and with limited treatment options and understanding of the disease. Running the London Marathon was more iconic than I realised. The immense support from the Brain Tumour Research team and cheer points was amazing. It felt like I was stopping and seeing family. “A memory I will cherish forever.”