About 200 people die from brain tumours every year in the Republic. The number of deaths has increased over the past 20 years but this is explained by improved methods of diagnosis, according to Dr Harry Comber, director of the Irish Cancer Registry.
"Where the death of an elderly person might have been explained by a stroke 20 years ago, now it could be explained by a brain tumour," he says. Stereotactic equipment, which is more effective in picking up brain tumours, is now being piloted by Irish hospitals.
Alhough research on the disease is ongoing, no single factor has yet emerged to explain the development of these tumours.
Being diagnosed with a brain tumour is a very frightening experience, says Joan Wynne, chairwoman of the Brain Tumour Support Group. "The illness brought by a brain tumour is very different to any other illness, because it's the brain," she says. "People can be affected by short-term memory loss. Sometimes personality can be affected. It's not anything you can't cope with but it is different. People are desperately frightened when they come to us first because being with us makes it a reality."
Joan's husband Brian was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1987. "It seemed to happen overnight," she says. Brian's symptoms included failing vision and a smell of burning rubber. The couple had five young children and Brian had a successful business. "I didn't know anyone with a brain tumour," she says. When Gay Byrne read out a letter on his radio programme from a man with a tumour, Joan contacted him and the Brain Tumour Support Group was born. Today, it has about 100 members and Joan hopes to start groups in Cork and Galway. Six of the members have been trained in counselling and run a helpline.
Joan's next plan is to open a drop-in centre in Dublin. She believes this is particularly important for people who have to travel to Dublin for treatment and often have no one to talk to afterwards. The group gets no state funding. Last year, it raised £19,000 from the mini-marathon. Now it is working on a book, A Sense of Tumour, which will be published in October. Written and illustrated by group members, the book contains reflections, stories and poems about the illness. Some are poignant and some are extremely funny. The book also includes a CD of a song recorded by Joan Wynne's daughter Laura (18). "It's an Elkie Brooks' song called Don't Cry Out Loud, Joan explains. "In the middle of the song is a poem Laura wrote for her father when he was ill."
Brian Wynne died three years ago. Such a tragedy could have made it impossible for Joan to return to the group, but after a short break, she did: "I love it. It's hard work but I know that, whatever we are doing, it's working."
There is a tremendous energy in the group, she adds. "People say that the meetings cheer them up. Obviously, we lose some members but we have an awful lot of people who are very well. One member came to us when she was very sick eight years ago. Now she's on the committee and doing so well."
The Brain Tumour Support Group meets at St Luke's Hospital on the second Wednesday of every month. It can be contacted at 01-4936106 or through the Irish Cancer Society freefone helpline at 1800-200700