A teenager experienced dizziness and intense headaches, initially diagnosed as an ear infection, when in reality, it was a life-threatening tumor.
British teenager Jac Sexton tragically passed away a few months after a doctor misdiagnosed his debilitating symptoms, leading to a decline in his health.
In October 2024, Jac began to feel dizzy and started slurring his speech, making him appear intoxicated.
Upon visiting a doctor, 19-year-old Jac from Aberdare in South Wales was originally informed that his symptoms were due to an ear infection, which followed a bout of glandular fever.
He later found out that his actual ailment was a high-grade glioblastoma, a particularly deadly form of brain tumor.
The tumor was located on the brain stem, which is extremely rare, making a biopsy or standard cancer treatment not viable.
This necessitated Jac undergoing an aggressive radiotherapy regimen, five days a week for six weeks straight.
Despite this treatment, Jac faced a severe medical crisis at home, requiring emergency surgery, which was thought to be potentially fatal.
Though doctors were initially shocked by Jac’s incredible recovery, one commented they “had not seen [a recovery like this] in 30 years” of practice. Yet, the brain tumor persisted and eventually led to his death on February 25, 2025.
His family has since shared how Jac remained positive during his treatment and hospital stays.
Jac’s uncle, Rhydian Sexton, 37, a site supervisor from Aberdare, who has been “like a father” to Jac, shared with PA Real Life: “Jac touched so many people in the last few months.”
“The nurses called him ‘Sassy Jac’. Despite what he was enduring, he had so much character.”
“That’s what kept him fighting so long. The last two weeks were filled with laughter in our house. His relationship with his family said it all. He was happy, which is the main thing.”
A friend launched a GoFundMe page when Jac fell ill with an initial goal of £1,000, but it has now exceeded £13,000.
Rhydian mentioned that “The aim is now to promote Jac’s story and raise as much as we can.”