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Stephanie Dickson, 24, died after doctors failed to notice her brain tumour symptoms

A woman died from an undiagnosed tumour after 14 doctor visits where she was told her pain was just migraines.

Stephanie Dickson, 24, suffered from a sore neck, severe headaches and dizziness for around nine months.

Despite having a gut feeling that something was wrong, doctors repeatedly prescribed her painkillers for stress-related headaches.

She eventually went to A&E at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on April 5 2013 when her symptoms became so overwhelming.

Doctors placed her on a drip, but she was discharged the following morning. 

However, the office worker was found dead in her bed by family just a matter of hours later. 

If she had been given the correct treatment up until the night she died, she would have had a 98 per cent chance of survival, an investigation concluded. 

The procurator fiscal found her death from the tumour, which was benign but had caused a build-up of pressure within her skull, could have been avoided. 

Her best friend, Laura Aberdour, 27, has spoken out about the devastating time her friends and family have been through.

And she is encouraging other young woman never to back down if they think something is wrong.

The mother-of-one is in the process of planning her first fundraising event in memory of her friend.

She suffered from a sore neck, severe headaches and dizziness for around nine months. Despite having a gut feeling something was wrong, doctors kept prescribing her painkillers for stress-related headaches (pictured with her brother Murray)

She eventually went to A&E at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on April 5 2013 when her symptoms became overwhelming. Doctors placed her on a drip, but she was discharged the following morning

Miss Aberdour, who became friends with Miss Dickson 10 years ago, said: 'We have all been left broken by what's happened. It's truly devastating.

'It's taken me until now to be strong enough to talk about it because it should never have happened. She was only 24. She didn't need to die.' 

She added: 'For a while she had been complaining of a sore head, but I was only 23 at the time. I wasn't too concerned.

'I guess when you're young you think you're invincible - I never even thought about anything as serious as a brain tumour.

'But I do remember going to the gym with her one day, and she suggested then she might have a brain tumour.

'I remember saying to her "oh, don't say that" but I do think she knew all along something wasn't quite right. She persistently went to the doctors.' 

Some of Miss Dickson's friends have now organised a charity event to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

However, the office worker was found dead in her bed by family just a matter of hours later. If she had been given the correct treatment up until the night she died, she would have had a 98 per cent chance of survival, an investigation concluded

The organisation funds pioneering research to increase survival, raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours.

It also provides support for those affected by the condition and aims to improve their quality of life.

Geraldine Pipping, from The Brain Tumour Charity, said: 'We receive no government funding and rely 100 per cent on voluntary donations and gifts in Wills.

'It's only through the efforts of people such as Stephanie's family, friends and everyone tirelessly fundraising in her memory, that we can work towards our twin goals of doubling survival and halving the harm caused by brain tumours.

'Every penny they raise will be committed to finding a cure for this devastating disease.' 

A ladies day fundraiser for Miss Dickson will take place on March 18 in Portobello, Edinburgh, at the Beach Lane Social Club.

The day will consist of games and it will be an opportunity for Stephanie's friends to get together and reminisce their happy times with her.

Miss Aberdour added: 'The aim of the Ladies Day is to keep Steph alive and fight for her.

'We need to do all we can to raise awareness of brain tumours and to get the message out there that if someone thinks they have one, don't back down.

'If you're not well, please get checked out.'

Tickets for the fundraiser cost £5 and money can be donated to Miss Dickson's JustGiving page.