Chef Andrew Fairlie has revealed the tumour he has lived with for the past decade has begun to leak into his brain.
The 52-year-old said the development had led to the return of seizures, for which he was treated in 2010 and 2013.
Having previously undergone two bouts of chemotherapy and one of radiotherapy, he is now pinning his hopes on new research being conducted in Glasgow.
Professor Anthony Chalmers is leading a team at the Beatson Cancer Institute looking at developing new techniques that allow higher targeted doses of radiotherapy on tumours, minimising damage to surrounding tissue.
Mr Fairlie told the Sunday Mail: “My brain tumour is leaking and the seizures are back. This treatment could be my best chance.
“Brain tumours don’t respond to radiotherapy twice. Prof Chalmers is trying to change that by developing a system where radiotherapy, in conjunction with new drugs, could almost double the cure rate.”
However he added that he was not allowing the cancer to get in the way of enjoying life, though the seizures mean he does have to take short breaks in the kitchens at Gleneagles when they come on
He said: “I take time to eat in other restaurants and I’ve just had the most luxurious holiday that 10 years ago I’d have thought, ‘Can we afford it?’ Now I say, ‘To hell with it, let’s do it.’
“I enjoy life much more and appreciate the people around me much more – my staff, my family, my friends. Life before cancer was just a blur. Now I have slowed down by 50%.
“It hasn’t stopped me doing things other than I can’t drive or go swimming and I still drink, although it’s not the healthiest thing to do.”
David Welch, of the Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “What we are doing here will have an impact on a global scale, not just in Scotland.
“Advances in the development of new cancer treatment techniques are being made all the time to both cure cancer and give people living with cancera better quality of life, for longer.
“This is an incredible project, a real game changer in so many ways.
“The Beatson is already one of the world’s leading radiotherapy centres and some of the techniques being developed here are leading the way.
“This project over the next three years is about putting these developments centre stage.”
