‘Antiques Roadshow’ Expert Theo Burrell, 38, Shares Emotional Wedding Moment Ahead Of Scan, Says Marrying Her Partner of 13-Years ‘Was Worth It’

She shared one wedding photo on Instagram, captioning the heartfelt post, “On 28th March Alex and I celebrated our wedding with our closest family and friends and it was amazing!! Not only did we have a lot of fun but it feels so nice to be husband and wife after all these years together.

Burrell then thanked her photographer, who chose “beautiful spots in Edinburgh” for them to take photos, her make up artist, who helped her “feel good despite the steroid weight gain,” and her hair stylist who covered her bald spots [from radiotherapy treatment] with hair extensions.

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She also expressed her gratitude for both Cannonball Restaurant & Bar and Nor’ Loft, a rooftop Champagne lounge, for hosting their meal and drinks.

“I’m still sleeping off the exhaustion and a cold but it was worth every second,” she continued. ” Next up I have a scan to get through.”

Not to bring down the excitement from her wedding, she insisted that her and her husband will “deal with that [the scan] when the time comes.”

She concluded, “Thank you so much everyone. It was very special to make it to the wedding day, let alone have sunshine, good food and champagne!”

Burrell also shared another photo from her big day, on her Instagram story, writing, “We finally did it.”

The loving pair were pictured on an empty road, gazing deeply into each other’s eyes, with what appears to be a castle perched on a cliff behind them.

Her husband was also seen donning a wedding kilt, a classic element of Scottish wedding tradition.

Leading up to their wedding, Burrell said, “As we know the battle to get brain cancer and brain tumors under control continues.

“But I must say, I’m reading and seeing so much positive news going on in the brain tumor world – we just need to get the science to the patients. No small task I know – but a very very necessary one.”

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She added, “My tiredness continues as do the steroids which have made me gain so much weight – but I’ve dusted off my Fitbit and am getting out and about on sunny days.

“Tomorrow Alex and I get MARRIED!!!! After 13 years together I’m really looking forward to finally calling him my husband. Photos to follow!”

Prior to that, Burrell also took to social media to announce her husband’s milestone 40th birthday.

She wrote alongside a black-and-white photo of her love, “My partner, Alex turned 40 on 6th January, the day after my surgery. I was determined that brain cancer was not going to overshadow his big day, so as a group of friends and family we postponed a dinner to celebrate until the 31st.”

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Burrell added, “Two of our brilliant friends organized the whole thing (thank you so much pals), and one of them even flew from Wales just to be with us. We had a great evening, and we suitably embarrassed Alex with a cake and ‘happy birthday.’

“Although I’m boring myself by saying this – I did not think 3.5 years ago I had a hope of seeing 2026 and celebrating Alex’s 40th with him – but I have.”

She then took a moment to address her excitement on how they were prepping for married, after getting a dog, owning two homes, and having a child.

Theo Burrell’s Brain Cancer Journey

Burrell first experienced symptoms in December 2021 that were later linked to what was diagnosed as stage 4 brain cancer, in 2022.

She was subsequently found to have glioblastoma, an aggressive type of glioma characterized by fast progression and a generally low average survival rate.

While statistics show an average survival of around 15 months with treatment—and under six months without it—she has continued to surpass expectations, pursuing care that allows her to live fully and experience milestones she once feared missing.

She has undergone chemotherapy, multiple treatments, and, most recently, brain surgery. By late January, she shared a small but meaningful victory: her stitches were beginning to fall out as her surgical scars were healing.

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“Receiving my diagnosis, at the age of 35, when my son was one year old, was devastating,” Burrell previously told U.K.-based news outlet The Sun.

Burrell is among the team of experts that appeared on the popular television show that comes from auction houses. She appeared on the British version of the show, which tours throughout the U.K., valuing various treasures and trinkets. She has been a part of the show since 2018.

However, she says things changed seemingly in a flash after her diagnosis.

“Overnight, everything had changed. Suddenly, I’d gone from being a healthy person in the middle of my life with a new baby to having incurable cancer with maybe only a year or two left to live,” Burrell said.

After being diagnosed, Burrell said she immediately underwent surgery to remove the tumor. She also had chemotherapy and radiation. She said in a recent interview that since her diagnosis, she’s gone through the rigors of treatment.

“I’ve lost my hair, I’m no longer allowed to drive, and I’m no longer able to work,” she said.

“What followed was months of surgery and treatment to try and prolong my life, and … I continue to make the best of each day,” Burrell added, saying she’s “doing quite well.”

Since her diagnosis, Burrell has become a brain cancer advocate.

It’s important to understand that Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and lethal form of primary brain tumor. Classified as a Grade 4 glioma by the World Health Organization (WHO), glioblastoma presents significant challenges for treatment due to its highly invasive nature, rapid growth, and resistance to most conventional therapies.

As per the National Cancer Institute, the average survival rate is 15 months with treatment and less than six if left untreated. While there is a five-year survival rate of averaging 6 percent, those individuals will never be cancer-free. They must continue receiving radiation and chemotherapy for the rest of their lives.

Clinical trials help doctors better understand cancer and discover more effective treatment methods. They also allow patients to try a treatment before it’s approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which can potentially be life-changing.

WATCH: Clinical Trials can be Life-Saving

Turning to SurvivorNet for Help

For patients and families navigating a brain cancer diagnosis, or any cancer diagnosis, finding trials can feel overwhelming. That’s why SurvivorNet encourages patients to use its proprietary Clinical Trial Finder, a free tool designed to help patients identify relevant trials quickly and easily.

Every year, new early-phase studies come online, each one representing another step forward.

As Dr. Simon Khagi, a neuro-oncologist at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute in Newport Beach, California, previously explained to SurvivorNet, progress in glioblastoma won’t come from a single breakthrough, but from smart combinations, persistence, and continued participation in clinical trials that keep hope alive where it once didn’t exist.

Understanding Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) & The Standard Of Care

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain cancer. It grows rapidly and infiltrates surrounding brain tissue, making it challenging to treat. A diagnosis of glioblastoma is indeed overwhelming, but understanding your treatment options can empower you to make informed decisions about your care.

After you’ve had a full work-up, experts say getting a consultation at a treatment center that sees a lot of patients with brain cancer can be an extremely valuable step.

A Utah Brain Cancer Expert’s Quick Guide To The ‘Standard of Care’ Treatment Options For Glioblastoma

Dr. Randy Jensen, a neurosurgeon at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, tells SurvivorNet that the standard of care for glioblastoma is typically to start with surgery.

“The standard of care for glioblastoma is to start off with a maximal safe resection, and that means having your surgeon pull out all the stops of anything they can do to maximize resection [removal],” Dr. Jensen explains.

While surgery is often where treatment starts, the treatment path for glioblastoma requires a comprehensive approach involving multiple medical specialties. Your care team may include neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuro-oncologists, and supportive care specialists.

The treatment approach for glioblastoma may consist of the following steps.

1. Surgery: The first step in treatment is often surgical removal of the tumor, also known as resection. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving neurological function. Complete removal is often difficult due to the tumor’s infiltrative nature, but reducing the tumor size can improve the effectiveness of subsequent treatments. In cases where surgery is not possible due to the tumor’s location, a biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
2. Radiation Therapy: Following surgery, most patients undergo radiation therapy to target any remaining cancer cells. Radiation uses high-energy X-rays or protons to damage the DNA of tumor cells, preventing them from growing and dividing. It is typically administered five days a week over a period of six weeks. Radiation therapy is a crucial component in slowing tumor progression and improving survival rates.
3. Chemotherapy: Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard chemotherapy drug used in glioblastoma treatment. It is taken orally and works by interfering with the tumor cells’ ability to replicate. TMZ is often used in combination with radiation therapy (concurrent chemoradiation) and then continued as maintenance therapy for several months.
4. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs): TTFs are a newer, non-invasive treatment option that uses alternating electrical fields to disrupt cancer cell division.

Dr. Jensen explains that after surgery for brain cancer, a tumor board meeting often occurs, where doctors with different specialties meet to assess the case together and decide the best way to proceed with treatment.

The purpose of the tumor board is to give brain cancer experts with different specialties the opportunity to discuss and decide on the best possible treatment approach.

Side Effects of Glioblastoma Treatment

Each glioblastoma treatment comes with potential side effects. Your medical team will work with you to manage these effects and improve your quality of life.

Surgery side effects can include:

• Swelling in the brain (edema), which may require steroids to reduce inflammation
• Neurological deficits, such as difficulty speaking, memory problems, or muscle weakness, depending on the tumor’s location
• Infection or bleeding at the surgical site

Radiation side effects can include:

• Fatigue, which can persist for weeks after treatment ends
• Hair loss in the treated area
• Skin irritation or redness
• Cognitive effects, such as difficulty concentrating or memory problems

Chemotherapy side effects can include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased risk of infections due to lower white blood cell counts
• Fatigue
• Low blood platelet levels, which can increase the risk of bleeding or bruising

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs) side effects can include:

• Skin irritation from the transducer arrays
• Mild to moderate headaches
• Scalp sensitivity
• Psychological adjustment to wearing the device for extended periods

When Are Tumor Treating Fields Used?

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs) represent an exciting advancement in glioblastoma treatment. This therapy is designed to slow tumor growth without affecting healthy brain tissue.

TTFs use low-intensity, alternating electric fields to disrupt cancer cell division. This is achieved through a wearable device that delivers continuous therapy on the scalp. These fields interfere with the tumor cells’ ability to multiply, ultimately slowing or stopping tumor progression.

Two major clinical trials, EF-11 and EF-14, demonstrated that TTFs provide a survival benefit for glioblastoma patients:

• EF-11 Trial: This trial focused on recurrent glioblastoma and found that patients receiving TTF therapy had comparable survival rates to those receiving chemotherapy, but with fewer side effects
• EF-14 Trial: This trial demonstrated that newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients who used TTFs alongside standard chemotherapy had significantly improved survival compared to those who received chemotherapy alone

TTFs may be recommended in the following scenarios:

• Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma: After surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, TTFs can be integrated into the treatment plan to enhance survival rates. The device is typically used continuously for at least 18 hours per day to maximize its effectiveness.
• Recurrent Glioblastoma: For patients whose tumors have returned, TTFs may be an option to extend survival and manage disease progression.

Your healthcare team will assess your overall health, tumor characteristics, and previous treatments to determine if TTFs are suitable for you. Factors such as your ability to wear the device consistently and your comfort with its use will also be considered.

What to Consider When Clinical Trials Are an Option?

Within the U.S., all new drugs must go through clinical trials before the FDA approves them. Although the rewards of clinical trials can be great, they also come with risks. Talking to your doctor about this before enrolling in a trial is important. Some risks to consider include:

• The risk of harm and/or side effects due to experimental treatments
• Researchers may be unaware of some potential side effects of experimental treatments
• The treatment may not work for you, even if it has worked for others

Before you enroll in a trial, you must be allowed to read the consent documents thoroughly and to ask any questions you may have. The documents will likely contain the following:

• The purpose of the research
• Any risks and benefits expected from the research
• Information about procedures that may cause discomfort (like frequent blood tests)
• Any alternative procedures the patient might consider instead
• How the patient’s information will be kept private
• How long is the study expected to take
• A form confirming you are participating in research voluntarily
• Whether any compensation or additional medical care is available if some sort of injury occurs
• The patient’s rights (like the right to stop research in the middle of the trial)
• Contacts for any patient questions

Patients are allowed to walk away at any time during the trial. Understanding your rights as a voluntary patient is important before you participate in a clinical trial, and understanding that the treatment may not work is also crucial.

Do Clinical Trials Cost Participants Anything?

Clinical trials may also have no extra cost for the participants, as the study’s sponsor may pay for the treatment and any additional care. Some sponsors even pay for travel to and from appointments or treatment centers. Patients should ask what will be paid for before signing up to be part of a trial.

The ‘Placebo’

During the treatment of an experimental drug in a clinical trial, while some participants receive the real thing, others do not. These participants receive a placebo.

The placebo is “an inactive substance or other intervention that looks the same as and is given the same way as an active drug or treatment being tested. The effects of the active drug or other intervention are compared to the effects of the placebo, as defined by the National Cancer Institute.

In some cancer clinical trials that are “randomized,” patients who enroll are randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or the new experimental drug being studied. If the clinical trial is “double-blinded,” that means that neither the patients nor the doctors running the clinical trial know who’s in which group. This is an important part of a clinical trial design because it safeguards against bias and the possibility of skewed results.

It’s important to know that getting zero treatment isn’t usually the reality of the “placebo arm” anyway.

Instead, when patients with life-threatening cancers enroll in randomized clinical trials, the two groups are often broken into the new, experimental drug and a “control” group that receives the “standard-of-care” treatment.

Treatments considered standard of care are those that experts accept as the go-to treatment for specific cancers. Standard-of-care, in other words, is the most used treatment.

In many cases, it might involve a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation, but not always.

WATCH: Using electric sources to improve glioblastoma treatment.

Questions for Your Doctor

If you have been diagnosed with glioblastoma, here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor. We also encourage you to explore SurvivorNet’s proprietary AI-platform “My Health Questions” to assist you with your cancer journey.

• What stage is my brain cancer?
• What are the treatment options for my brain cancer?
• Am I a good candidate for temozolomide?
• What are the risks and benefits of the recommended treatment?
• What are the side effects of the recommended treatment?
• How long will it take to recover from treatment, and will I be able to return to work and normal activities?
• What’s the likelihood that insurance will cover the recommended treatment?

WATCH: How SurvivorNet’s Proprietary AI-tool “My Health Questions” Is Making a Difference In Patient’s Lives

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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