A North East schoolgirl who was diagnosed with cancer at age one has been helped with a 'miracle drug' after being given the all-clear from cancer.
Grace Frazer, ten, from Newcastle, has been taking methylphenidate since early 2018.
Methylphenidate; a repurposed ADHD medication, has been hailed a 'miracle' and credited with changing the lives of children who have survived a brain tumour.
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Grace was just one when she was diagnosed with a medullablastoma in December 2014 after having difficulties with her balance.
The tumour was successfully removed and six months of chemotherapy followed.
Grace was given the all-clear in July 2015, but the tumour returned in November.
She had surgery again but unfortunately, not all the tumour could be removed, which resulted in six weeks of cranial and spinal radiotherapy followed by six months of chemotherapy.
Now, all clear from cancer, Grace's mum and dad have hailed methylphenidate - but has highlighted the struggles in the first ten years of Grace's life.
Grace's mum, Fiona McGregor-Frazer, said: "Grace has now been cancer-free for years, but the treatment left her with numerous psychological problems.
"Both at home and at school she was proving quite hard work; unable to sit and listen, too distracted by her surroundings.
"However, her ability to focus and process information is much better now and she is able to sit with her peers in school and learn. Grace still has a few problems but she is happy, healthy and full of life."
Alongside how the 'miracle drug' has helped Grace, studies, which were conducted by the Paediatric Neuro Oncology team at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle, showed a significant improvement in attention in all tests of selective visual attention, as well as response time.
Grace's dad, Darren, added: “Methylphenidate was recommended my Dr Sarah Verity, our Tom’s Trust psychologist, after Grace completed her treatment for two cancerous brain tumours - the second treatment included radiotherapy on her head and spine.
"The methylphenidate was recommended to help speed up Grace’s processing skills to be able to cope better in school.
"This has helped Grace in so many ways she is now thriving in her school and able to learn and grow with her friends.
"It took a while to get to the steady dose that she is on now, but we are all so pleased with the impact it’s had.”
As well as outcomes measured by psychometric assessments, other outcomes were self-reported by patients and their parents.
Parent responses showed a statistically significant effect of methylphenidate on school function, emotional function and social function.
In one of the studies, 70 per cent of participants reported an increase in their child’s self‐esteem and confidence in themselves and their abilities following methylphenidate treatment.
The studies were conducted by the Paediatric Neuro Oncology team at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastleand partially funded by the children’s brain tumour charity Tom’s Trust.
Tom’s Trust provides mental health, wellbeing and psychological support to 371 children (0-19) and their families (around 1,100 additional family members) in the UK.
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