“I can’t believe I am working in one of the hospitals that saved me”

14 September 2026 - A former King’s cancer patient is now training as a doctor at the hospital that saved his life.

Kai Newton was in primary school when he began experiencing headaches, loss of concentration and a drop in energy levels. It was at an optician’s appointment that an optometrist spotted an area of high pressure in his brain, and his family immediately took him to Lewisham Hospital.

Kai was transferred to King’s College Hospital, where a scan confirmed that he had an extremely rare type of brain tumour called pineal germinoma. Kai underwent a biopsy, and a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt was put in place to drain fluid from his brain. He went on to receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment at The Royal Marsden Sutton.

He said: “In the weeks and months after recovering from the tumour, it felt like cancer had become a huge burden, taking away my memory, my mental wellbeing, and cutting off opportunities around me.

“I found strength in speaking with other cancer survivors, and I started to use my experience as my motivation. I realised that if I could survive a brain tumour, then I could take on any challenge life could throw at me. During my cancer treatment, I was surrounded by an incredible team of medical specialists who inspired me to follow in their footsteps.”

Kai joined King’s College NHS Foundation Trust as a Healthcare Assistant in 2019, where he put himself forward to work on specialist COVID-19 wards during the 2020 pandemic. Now aged 28, Dr Kai Newton is a Foundation Year 2 Resident Doctor, based in King’s Emergency Department.

Kai said: “Being able to be there for a patient and help them through difficult times is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. I faced a lot of hurdles along the way, but I am so proud to be able to say that I am now part of Team King’s. Being a cancer survivor and a doctor gives me a deeper connection with patients. I really enjoy being able to be there for people when they need help.”

Dr Malcolm Tunnicliff, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Clinical Director for Trauma at King’s, said: “There is no doubt that Kai’s experience of cancer is one of his greatest strengths. He has a real understanding of how daunting a hospital stay can be at times, and how to put patients at their ease. Seeing him fulfil his potential as a doctor is wonderful to see.”

Kai added: “There are definitely ‘pinch me’ moments when I can’t believe I am working as a doctor, in one of the hospitals that saved me. But this isn’t the end of my journey and hard work. It’s just the start of a new one.”