Student who battled brain cancer while studying for degree gets first class honours - The Leamington Observer

Student who battled brain cancer while studying for degree gets first class honours

Leamington Editorial 20th Sep, 2018   0

A ‘REMARKABLY BRAVE’ student who battled brain cancer while studying for her degree has walked away with first-class honours.

Former Myton School pupil Lucy Salt was diagnosed with cancer just months after she left home to study pharmaceutical science at the University of Salford.

Doctors said she could return to Warwick and undergo surgery and chemotherapy or stay in Manchester and take part in a clinical trial to reduce the tumour.

Lucy, who was just 19-years-old at the time, chose to stay in Manchester where she had her first round of treatment over the school holidays.




She said: “I was experiencing ear problems, headaches and dizzy spells but you could never imagine it might be cancer at my age.”

And after six weeks she felt well enough to return to university that September. Apart from missing part of her placement year at Nottingham University hospital, Lucy completed all her assignments and exams, securing firsts for everything.


She even managed to fit in a part-time job as a swim school supervisor at Warwick School and work as a laboratory assistant at university.

Lucy – who is now 22-years-old – only told her closest friends about her illness and was eventually forced to tell her lecturers when she needed time off for a second round of treatment.

She said: “I would struggle to concentrate due to the headaches and slept a lot. Fortunately most of the drugs were given over the summer vacation so did not affect my studies.

“What got me through were determination and the willingness to keep going and enjoy my life.”

One of those who supported Lucy throughout her battle has spoken out about what an inspiration she is to the university and its students.

Head of chemistry David Pye, said: “Lucy has been remarkably brave and committed. She wanted this degree and nothing was going to stop her.

“To get the marks she has achieved under the circumstances is really amazing.”

Lucy now plans to put her degree and personal experience to good use and work in clinical research in the pharmaceutical industry.

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