A man who opened up about having a brain tumour while on First Dates is now hoping to raise awareness of brain tumours and is encouraging others who have been diagnosed to speak out to help cut the stigma.
Adam Carroll was a massive hit with viewers when he was matched with Leena and spoke to her about having to undergo two operations on his brain in a week following his diagnosis, the Mirror reports.
His horrifying ordeal began in June last year, while he was on a work trip to New York. He says he was chatting to someone when he felt a pressure in his head before collapsing. When he woke up he was surrounded by paramedics who rushed him to hospital and have him a brain scan.
He was then given the devastating news that he had a tumour and that doctors needed to perform a biopsy straight away. The biopsy revealed he had grade 3 (cancerous) glioma.
Just five days later, he was operated on again, when surgeons managed to successfully remove 95 percent of the tumour. He was allowed to fly home 10 days later, where his treatment continued at University College Hospital in London.
He had a gruelling six weeks of daily radiotherapy; he was also placed on a year-long course of chemotherapy tablets which he will have to take until October this year.
Adam had viewers in tears when he revealed details of his tumour to Leena, who opened up to him about a cancer scare she had had, too.
However, he has since revealed to the Mirror that although the pair got on well, they have decided to just stay pals. But he's not given up on finding love, adding: "Being told you've got a brain tumour is a reality check and makes you think what you really want out of life.
"I was a bit of a Jack-the-lad, out most nights clubbing and drinking. Now I want to find a girlfriend, settle down, have kids - all the normal stuff."
In the meantime, he has taken up running. He ran the Hackney Half Marathon yesterday, raising money for a number of cancer charities - including The Brain Tumour Charity.
He said: "Sometimes it feels like a stigma to have a brain tumour as people can be afraid of how it will affect your work and relationships," said Adam, who lives in Enfield, north London.
"But I think it's important to talk about it - to safeguard your mental health - as you can get so bogged down in your worries about your diagnosis.
"Now I want to help The Brain Tumour Charity raise awareness about brain tumours - and I'm determined to make the most of every minute of my life."
Following months of treatment, Adam added: "My last scan was in February and my consultant said he couldn't have been happier with the results.
"It showed up something tiny, which may be a blood vessel. But it's very much a waiting game from scan to scan."
If you want to donate you can do so here or check out Adam's blog here.
Featured Image Credit: Channel 4/ First DatesTopics: TV and Film, Charity, first dates, UK