Medical student dies after brain tumour battle

A medical student who campaigned for better diagnosis of brain cancer after being diagnosed with an aggressive tumour has died, his family has said.

Alex Warwick from Weymouth, Dorset, was taken to hospital in May by his university friends in Liverpool who insisted he have a CT scan after he became unwell.

The 23-year-old was diagnosed with a highly aggressive glioma and, when NHS treatment options came to an end, his family began fundraising for pioneering treatment in Germany.

But that treatment was cut short after it was found the cancer had spread, and Alex returned home where he died on Saturday, surrounded by his family.

More than £180,000 raised by Alex and his family will go to Isle of Wight-based charity Brainstrust, which supports people living with brain tumours.

His father, Ian, said Alex died early on Saturday at the family's home in Weymouth.

"We were all with him and holding him. It was very peaceful," he said.

Family friend Martin Andrews said "following a very positive week of treatment in Cologne a month ago" Alex's condition "suddenly deteriorated".

"Treatment was ended so he could spend his final few days with his family and friends," he said.

"His legacy is the incredible levels of awareness of the symptoms that Alex and his family and friends have generated across multiple media outlets in recent weeks, and more than £183,000 plus gift aid raised for the Brainstrust charity on the Isle of Wight, and that will now be used to help others with brain cancer."

Braintrust co-founder and director Dr Helen Bulbeck said: "It goes against nature to lose a child and I think brain tumours bring their own specific trauma where it robs a person of their very identity.

"The family turned every stone for a different outcome and they held on to every hope, as you should.

"It's just unimaginable what they are going through."

In a bid to improve outcomes for others in his situation, Alex met Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who said he had been "struck immediately" by his "courage, clarity and determination".

He said: "My thoughts are with Alex's family and loved ones - I want to assure them that I am personally committed to ensuring his legacy is felt in the way we support patients and fund research into the cancers that have for too long been overlooked."