Living with an Optic Pathway Glioma and The Mental Health Impact

In this episode, Molly Fenton shares her experience of living with an optic pathway glioma affecting her pituitary gland, optic nerve and hypothalamus.Although she was diagnosed at 16, Molly’s symptoms began much earlier—impacting her childhood, education, and overall health in ways that weren’t fully understood at the time.Now 23, Molly speaks openly about what it really means to live with a brain tumour as a young adult. From the shock of being told she had a “ticking time bomb” in her brain, to navigating long-term symptoms, mental health challenges, and the responsibility of monitoring her condition between scans—her story is raw, honest, and deeply human.In this episode, Molly talks about:growing up with undiagnosed symptomsreceiving a life-changing diagnosis as a teenagerthe emotional impact of living with uncertaintyfinding support through The Brain Tumour Charitybecoming a Young Ambassador and using her voiceadvocacy, research, and why awareness must lead to actionrebuilding identity and finding purposeMolly’s story is not just about surviving—it’s about speaking up, creating change, and ensuring no one feels alone in their experience.💬 “I’m not going to shut up until this brain tumour makes me.”