A pioneering and highly respected cancer specialist has died.

Tributes have been paid to Jan de Winter who passed away at his home near Seaford last month, aged 94.

Dr de Winter was well known to thousands of patients, particularly in the Brighton and Hove area.

He set up Britain's first walk-in clinic aimed at helping prevent cancer in Brighton and was also responsible for establishing the Coppercliff Hospice.

The Coppercliff opened in 1967 and was was the predecessor to the Martlets Hospice in Hove.

Dr de Winter worked as a cancer consultant at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for more than 30 years up until his retirement in 1981.

He followed this up by establishing his walk-in clinic, based next to the Theatre Royal, and the Dr Jan de Winter Cancer Prevention Foundation.

The clinic, which relied on donations and bequests to keep going, continued for more than two decades, eventually closing in 2002.

Carola Godman Law, was a former chairwoman of the foundation and a friend of Dr de Winter for more than 40 years.

She said: "He was a man well ahead of his time.

"When he set up the clinic he was regarded as being a bit strange because he insisted that focusing on what people ate, the exercise they took and how much they drank was just as important in the prevention of cancer than just the treatment.

"His theory was moderation in all things.

"He was well loved by many people and did so much for them.

"He had a compassionate heart but was also at the forefront of medical technology. ì "He died at his home with his family around him. He had no cancer, no illness, no disease. It was simply old age. In the end his heart just gave out.

"He lived a long and fulfilled life to the end and I am proud to have known him."

Dr de Winter was born in Prague in 1914.

He came to visit the UK to perfect his English but because of World War II and subsequent Communist takeover he never went back.

After completing his training in radiology at University College Hospital London, he worked at the Royal Cancer Hospital, now known as the Royal Marsden, before moving to the Royal Sussex in 1950.

In 1957 Dr de Winter was the first chairman of the newly formed Brighton committee of the National Society for Cancer Relief (NSCR).

He also introduced the first whole body CT scanner in Europe to the Royal Sussex in 1976.

In 1985 Dr de Winter was awarded the NSCR Gold Medal for his service to cancer patients and the Evian award for his contribution to the nationís health.

In 1996 he was presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from Brighton University in recognition for his outstanding contribution to holistic medicine, particularly in service of patients with cancer.

He was also honoured by The Order of St John as a Brother of the order in recognition of his life's work.

Dr de Winter never received a national honour, an omission which friends say was a huge oversight and reflected badly on a profession which failed to recognise his pioneering work.

Dr de Winter was married to Michaela who died in 1990, and is survived by their two daughters Daniele and Michaela.

A private family funeral has taken place but there will be a service of thanksgiving at the Meeting House Chapel, University of Sussex, Falmer on May 2 at 3pm.

The service is open to anyone who wants to attend.

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