Event Topic:
Many adults with a brain tumour experience seizures as a symptom of the tumour or side effect of treatment.
In this Q&A session, facilitated by Prof Kate Drummond (Neurosurgeon), you will meet a wonderful panel of people with a range of expertise and experience in seizures and epilepsy. They will provide some background information on seizures and brain tumour-related epilepsy, common ways seizures are managed, and where to find trusted information and support, if you are someone who experiences seizures as a result of a brain tumour or if you would like to know how best to support someone who does. Our panel also do their best to answer YOUR questions submitted on this topic.
About our host and panel members:
- Professor Kate Drummond is a neurosurgeon and Director of Neurosurgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Kate also leads the team that developed Brain Tumours Online.
- Dr Hue Mun Au Yong is a neurologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital with expertise in managing epilepsy and seizures. She leads the Epilepsy Clinic for patients with brain tumour at the RMH.
- Rheana Nation is an Epilepsy Advisor with a degree in Social Work with the Epilepsy Foundation, supporting people and families living with epilepsy through understanding, and resources. With experience in epilepsy support, Rheana is passionate about helping those diagnosed and those that support, know they are not alone.
- Marcus Whelan brings his personal perspectives based on lived experience of epilepsy/seizures as a result of a brain tumour. Marcus has shared the following by way of introduction: I’m 40 years old. Diagnosed with a brain tumour in January 2021. My diagnosis came from an incidental finding. I broke my leg water skiing. With the diagnosis came epilepsy. I’ve had several seizures. I’ve now been seizure-free for about 2 years. Before my pre-diagnosis, I worked as a machine operator in construction. Now I run a small business called Mentoring Minds. Working as a mentor I’ve found my purpose in life. Assisting NDIS participants with my lived experiences to help them navigate their journey.
- Lauren Nichols is currently a senior Occupational Therapist in Specialised Rehabilitation at Western Health in Melbourne. Lauren has worked extensively in neurosurgery and rehabilitation across her career, supporting individuals with new brain tumour diagnoses to return to daily everyday life.
Please note: these webinars are for education purposes only and should not be taken as individual medical advice. Consult with your healthcare team to find out what approach is best for you.
Links to resources mentioned by the panellists during the webinar:
- Epilepsy Foundation
- National Epilepsy Support Service, Phone: 1300 761 487
- AustRoads – Assessing Fitness to Drive – Seizures and Epilepsy
- Seizure First Aid poster
- Seizure First Aid instructions
- Epilepsy Management Plans – How to develop your epilepsy management plan
- Epilepsy Foundation – Education and Training resources – For home, workplaces, schools, covering topics such as: Understanding epilepsy and seizure types, Identifying triggers and risks to be managed, Understanding Epilepsy Management Plans, Seizure first aid, Administering emergency medication.
Video:
The webinar was recorded live on 12th September 2025. The recording is now available to watch. If you have any feedback about the video, or have topics to suggest for future webinars, please complete this short webinar video feedback survey.