A GRIEVING husband has told a Westminster inquiry of the burden placed on his family after he lost his wife to a brain tumour.

Glenn Karpel, 63, from Warfield, spoke at an enquiry into the economic and social impact of brain tumours on July 3.

He explained that his wife was diagnosed with a low-grade brain tumour after suffering a blackout.

Sadly, she passed away eight years later in September 2017 leaving Glenn and her two daughters, Claire and Stefanie.

Mr Karpel told the panel: “The last year of Penny’s life was a nightmare as her daughters and I looked everywhere to find a way to extend her life. We did all we could but, in the end, we had to accept there was no more treatment available and, devastatingly, Penny slipped into a coma.

"An agonising 12 days later, still at home and with her family by her side, Penny took her last breath."

Mr Karpel was one of 200 people who gave submissions to the inquiry and one of 23 who spoke to the panel.

The rest of the panel included patients, relatives, charity representatives, scientists and clinicians.

Carrie Hume, Head of Public Affairs at the Brain Tumour Research charity, explained: “Too often the shock of a brain tumour diagnosis is compounded by loss of income, loss of a driving licence, loss of independence and ensuing financial insecurity.

"We need to spell out to MP’s just what the real cost of a brain tumour diagnosis is. We really appreciate the courage Glenn showed in explaining his experience to the inquiry.”

The APPGBT Inquiry Report and its formal recommendations to government are currently being drafted, and are due to be published in late 2018.