"This disease is always there"
Tom Parker's world turned upside down when he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour last year.
The Gold Forever singer, best known for being a member of The Wanted, was given 12-18 months to live, but the dad-of-two is defying the odds.
Parker is remaining optimistic and hopeful about his future after the doctor's confirmed the tumour has shrunk.
The 33-year-old was diagnosed with a grade four glioblastoma last October.
“They give you 12 to 18 months of survival. But that’s the general statistics. Everyone we’ve spoken to has been way, way beyond that," he told The Sun.
Tom and his wife Kelsey wanted to focus on the positives and that attitude has helped them through this gruelling chapter.
Parker said he aims to be cancer-free by March.
“Now, we’re aiming to be cancer-free by March. That’s the aim. This disease is always there," he shared.
He added, "You might have residual cells but just not active. So, we’ll just carry on, just crack on and see where we get to.”
Tom and his wife Kelsey explained that they did not want an official prognosis from doctors because they felt it was "pointless".
The singer underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
“Those were the darkest days of my life. Going up there and lying under those radiation machines were awful. It’s awful. It’s unnerving," he revealed.
“And chemo was brutal. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
Tom's wife Kelsey added: “All he kept saying was, ‘I’m scared’. But I said, ‘I know you’re scared, but we’re going to get through this’.”
The Glad You Came singer explained he has availed of private healthcare to try treatments but feels for those who cannot afford it.
He explained that he shared his diagnosis because he wants brain cancer research to receive more funding.
It currently only receives 1% of funding in the United Kingdom.
"That’s the bad part of it. If you’ve not got money, you’ve not got the best healthcare. That’s sad."
“More and more young people are experiencing this disease, you know, and that’s an issue that needs looking at. This affects a lot of young people," Tom added.
