Jac Sexton, a 19-year-old, tragically passed away just a few months after learning that the disease initially diagnosed as an ear infection was actually an aggressive brain tumor known as glioblastoma. Last October, he started experiencing symptoms like sudden dizziness, double vision, and slurred speech. Initially, doctors attributed these symptoms to an ear infection resulting from a recent bout of tonsillitis. However, a short while later, Jac received a far more alarming diagnosis: Glioblastoma, an aggressive and rapidly growing brain tumor.

As Jac battled the symptoms that began in October 2024, he was initially treated for an ear infection diagnosis. However, more detailed tests conducted a few weeks later revealed a high-grade glioblastoma diagnosis. Following six weeks of intense radiotherapy and emergency surgery, Jac passed away on February 25, just four months after the initial diagnosis. His family is urging others not to ignore cancer symptoms.

Jac’s uncle, Rhydian Sexton, highlighted how Jac touched many lives in the last few months. Emphasizing her relationship with family members, Sexton added, “Our laughs were incredible in the last two weeks at home. Jac was a happy person, and that was most important.”

Glioblastoma is a challenging disease to treat and often has a short life expectancy. The primary step in brain tumor treatment is surgical removal whenever possible, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, according to the Brain Tumor Foundation, most glioblastoma patients can only survive 12-18 months, with only 5% living for five years.

Due to the location of Jac’s tumor in the brainstem, chemotherapy was not an option. Instead, he underwent an intense five-day-a-week radiotherapy program. After the treatment, he faced severe side effects. On January 4, Jac suddenly stopped breathing, but health professionals managed to save his life. However, doctors warned that if he woke up, he might face brain death or complete disability. Twenty-four hours later, Jac miraculously recovered without brain death or disability.

Glioblastoma is a deadly brain tumor diagnosed in about 3,000 people per year in the UK and 12,000 in the US. Common symptoms include headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, memory loss, speech difficulties, and vision changes.