UK & World News
- 18 December 2012, 14:49
Cancer Boy Neon Roberts' Mum Blocks Surgery
The mother of a seven-year-old boy who is at the centre of a legal battle over whether he should have radiation treatment for cancer is also opposed to any further surgery on his brain tumour, a court has heard.
A High Court judge had been due to rule on whether Neon Roberts should have the radiotherapy against the wishes of his mother, Sally, at a hearing on December 8, but proceedings were adjourned after the tumour was found.
Ms Roberts' lawyer told the court on Tuesday that the tumour was part of the original one left behind after the initial operation.
Although this means there is a better prognosis for its removal, the lawyer said the 37-year-old was against any further surgery being carried out.
Ms Roberts said: "I feel I need more expert opinion on it before proceeding."
A doctor treating Neon said a scan showed that the surgery needed to be carried out "urgently" on the "residual tumour".
He said the tumour could spread without surgery and it was "highly likely" that Neon would die within a "relatively short period" without further treatment.
The judge will now have to rule on whether the surgery should go ahead and the issue of the radiotherapy put aside.
Ms Roberts, 37, a New Zealander who lives in Brighton, East Sussex, had initially refused the radiotherapy saying that after research she feared radiotherapy would a "damaging effect" on Neon's future.
The boy's father Ben, who lives in London and is separated from Ms Roberts, agreed to the radiotherapy but was "apprehensive", the court heard.
Doctors said Neon might die within months without radiotherapy treatment.
what do you think?
Andy Smithies
What a selfish mare!!!!
Tricky One
Overly cautious maybe. Selfish? I'd say she's being the complete opposite of selfish.
LucienSolo1
I'm afraid I cannot understand this one too. I'm trying to think of what I might do in such a situation. If I was told it is highly likely it would spread and he would die then I'd probably say get on with it. Better to have a future than non at all. What have the parents been told? I think she needs that "expert" opinion very quickly. I'm wondering how much she is considering her own future as opposed to her son's. We do not have all the facts, as is the case with most of these stories, so although it sounds pretty obvious as to what the right thing would be to do, I'm wondering if there is something information we do not know about that would lead us to a better understanding of the mother's position.
Jo Brierley
It is really easy to make the decision when you are not in the situation. Lucien is right, perhaps there is a crucial piece of information we are not being given which would explain the Mother's decision. I have no idea what I would do as I am thankfully not in this position. Have the doctors said he will definately survive with the surgery and radiation? Probably not! My Mum, sister and I spoke to my Dad and agreed with him that we were happy if he did not want to continue treatment as the treatment was actually worse than the cancer at one point. Is that what is missing? Who knows, it is such a minefield cancer and it's treatment , and the media is not always acurate in it's reporting is it.
Jenna Purcell
Well said Sophie
Sophie Standen
12:47pm on 18/12/2012
I understand why this mother is worried about the damaging effects the radiotheropy may have on her son and I feel for the parents and this little boy. BUT...his life should prioritize over anything! Would she not rather he had a future than no future at all? I hope the court over rules her. Give this boy a chance!
Sophie Standen
1:20pm on 18/12/2012
And more importantly, why would she oppose to her son having surgery on the part of tumour which was left behind?! I can understand to an extent why she has rejected the radiotherapy...but this? The mind boggles!