Joscelyne Kerr, 20, was diagnosed with the rare cancer anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma and was the first to be recorded having the disease in Scotland
A student battling a rare brain cancer feared she would not live to see another Christmas.
Joscelyne Kerr, 20, from Kinross, was diagnosed with the rare cancer anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (APXA) in 2023, in what had been the first recorded case of its kind in Scotland. She underwent a high-risk surgery at just 18 and had chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 2024.
But when neither proved effective, she started a drugs trial that was said to deliver remarkable results. Following an anxious start to the year, Joscelyne received the life-changing news that her tumour had been extinguished by the trial drugs.
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Joscelyne is now helping raise awareness of the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal that is asking people to help fund pioneering research. Joscelyne said: “It was such an unbelievable thing to hear as we never expected the crystallised core of Pedro to be dissolved by the drugs.
“It’s so hard as you’re always waiting for the ‘but’ that usually follows positive news. This whole experience makes me scared to believe that any good news about my prognosis is really good news. But as my mum says, there’s always a reason to smile.”
A small speck did recently appear on Joscelyne’s most recent scan, which could indicate a new tumour or a stressed nerve. But she continues to live life to the fullest and refuses to let her diagnosis define her.
Joscelyne is now in her third year at the University of Edinburgh where she is studying astrophysics and added: “My outlook on life wants me to believe it’s just an anomaly.
“I try to protect myself mentally and focus on enjoying life until I’m told otherwise. That’s not to say that every now and then I don’t get scared, but I have a truly strong and amazing backbone of family and friends to keep me standing.”
Now Joscelyn is relishing the chance to celebrate another Christmas while surrounded by family as she hopes to raise funds and awareness of brain tumours, reports the Daily Record. Joscelyne said: “Sometimes people want to make everything extra special, thinking it might be my last, but they can’t get rid of me that easily!
“Last year I had an amazing time in New Zealand with my uncle and cousins. This year I’m looking forward to our normal Christmas routine, which includes gingerbread competitions, long dog walks, and family games.
“It’s all about being with the ones you love. That’s why it’s so important for me to support Brain Tumour Research in its vision to find a cure for this disease. If I can make a difference and raise awareness for everyone out there who deserves to be heard and seen, then I feel honoured to be one of the faces for the charity’s Christmas appeal.”
Brain tumours can affect any age and kill more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer. Just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since 2002.
