<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's a fight a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/perth" rel="" target="" title="Perth"><span>Perth</span></a><span> mother and father didn't see coming.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Katie and Greg Britton are facing a heartbreaking journey after both were diagnosed with brain cancer months apart.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They're in no way related and unfortunately it's just very bad luck," Mrs Britton told 9News.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/western-australia-news-remains-wash-up-on-fence-reef-beach/76905131-da48-4d0a-9a7f-e3fe853dd8ad"><strong><span>Human remains wash up on Western Australian beach</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While their tumours aren't linked, they're taking the battle on side-by-side.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Perth father first noticed a numbing in his toe, followed by losing all feeling to his side.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An MRI found a 4.5-centimetre tumour.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/brain-cancer-perth-mum-dad-katie-britton-greg-britton-diagnosed-months-apart/4ce7426c-75e3-4eef-8359-d82665517558" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It was right in my brain stem and it was just affecting everything - my breathing, heart, everything, just slowly shutting me down," Mr Britton told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The tumour was removed 12 months later but he's not in the clear just yet.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It probably will grow back at some stage, so yeah it's just about staying as fit as I can and healthy," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Mrs Britton started having her own signs and symptoms, including headaches and pain in her ear and cheek.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I went into Joondalup Hospital and they diagnosed me very very quickly and I was in for surgery the next day," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She underwent surgery four months to the day after her husband on her own four-centimetre tumour.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Mrs Britton has just finished her first six-week round of chemotherapy and radiation but said the hardest part for the couple was telling their two teenage children.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I was heartbroken for them, because watching how much they all struggled the first time around, to then put them through that again was a very difficult time," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple are not alone. According to Cancer Australia, there's a one in 156 chance of being diagnosed with brain cancer by the age of 85.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In 2023 brain cancer was the ninth most common cause of cancer death in Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's estimated to remain that way this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Brittons are sharing their story to warn others about the importance of early detection.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They also have nothing but praise for medical researchers and foundations like Cure Brain Cancer, with funds raised opening the door to more medical opportunities.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Not only does it make my experience of being managed for cancer so much better, but it also means my chances of living longer are so much better," Mrs Britton said.</span></div></div>