‘Don’t think you’re invincible’: the shocking symptom that led to a cancer diagnosis
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Spotting unusual changes in your body can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.
What began as a seemingly innocuous observation during a quiet moment between a couple soon turned into a startling discovery.
What unfolded next was a journey through diagnosis and recovery, shedding light on a condition that’s becoming increasingly common.
A retired teacher has shared the unusual symptom that led to his diagnosis of tongue cancer, a condition now 25 per cent more common than a decade ago.
Stuart Kingston, 67, from Merseyside, had no idea his face appeared asymmetrical until his wife, Carol, pointed it out during a trip.
‘During the pandemic, you naturally kept your distance from one another,’ Ms Kingston said.
‘So it was only later on in the year when we went on a caravan trip and were in close proximity to each other, sat face to face, I saw how uneven Stuart’s face looked.’
Stuart also had difficulty swallowing, which affected his appetite, but he dismissed it as insignificant.
In October 2020, Carol encouraged him to see a doctor about the asymmetry in his face. The doctor arranged an urgent PET scan, concerned about a possible oral growth.
The scan revealed a cancerous tumour at the base of Stuart’s tongue.
Oral cancers, which include those affecting the tongue, lips, and gums, have been increasing in the UK.
According to the Oral Health Foundation, over 10,800 cases of mouth cancer are now diagnosed annually in the UK, marking a 133 per cent rise over two decades.
Experts believe the surge is driven by cases in younger people, particularly in their 40s and 50s.
The Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant risk factor, with oral sex linked to an increased likelihood of throat and mouth cancers.
Dr Hisham Mehanna from the University of Birmingham stated that having multiple oral sex partners can raise the risk of oropharyngeal cancers by up to nine times.
Stuart underwent five weeks of radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Wirral.
He also participated in a clinical trial, hoping to benefit others facing similar diagnoses.
‘The night before my treatment started, Carol and I went to see the Blackpool Illuminations,’ he recalled.
‘We promised each other we’d come back when my treatment was finished.’
After treatment, Stuart had to relearn how to swallow and adapt the way he used his tongue.
‘When you’re having treatment every day, you know what to expect, you’re in a routine,’ he said.
‘There’s people around you to help and if you have any worries there’s always someone there to address that.
‘But when I went home and the worries continued, I really started to struggle.’
He credited the speech and language therapy team at Clatterbridge for his recovery.
‘I couldn’t have made the progress I did without them,’ he said.
By March 2022, doctors declared Stuart cancer-free, with no further signs of the disease.
Mouth ulcers that don’t heal, a hoarse voice, and persistent lumps in the mouth are all potential symptoms of oral cancer, according to the NHS.
Dr Heulwen Sheldrick, a speech and language therapist, supported Stuart during his recovery.
‘Stuart had a feeding tube fitted at the start of his treatment and our main focus was to adjust what/how to eat and drink in order to safely remove the tube,’ she explained.
‘Between the team’s support, Carol’s encouragement and Stuart’s hard work through speech and language therapy, he is now communicating in the clearest and most effective way possible.’
Stuart urged others to take unusual symptoms seriously and seek medical help.
‘Don’t think you’re invincible like I did,’ he said.
‘Accept the help of people who are highly skilled and qualified. Have trust and faith in their abilities and go into everything with a positive attitude taking it a day at a time.’
Have you ever noticed something unusual in your body that turned out to be more serious than you thought? Share your experiences in the comments – you might just help someone else recognise the signs before it’s too late.
What began as a seemingly innocuous observation during a quiet moment between a couple soon turned into a startling discovery.
What unfolded next was a journey through diagnosis and recovery, shedding light on a condition that’s becoming increasingly common.
A retired teacher has shared the unusual symptom that led to his diagnosis of tongue cancer, a condition now 25 per cent more common than a decade ago.
Stuart Kingston, 67, from Merseyside, had no idea his face appeared asymmetrical until his wife, Carol, pointed it out during a trip.
‘During the pandemic, you naturally kept your distance from one another,’ Ms Kingston said.
‘So it was only later on in the year when we went on a caravan trip and were in close proximity to each other, sat face to face, I saw how uneven Stuart’s face looked.’
Stuart also had difficulty swallowing, which affected his appetite, but he dismissed it as insignificant.
In October 2020, Carol encouraged him to see a doctor about the asymmetry in his face. The doctor arranged an urgent PET scan, concerned about a possible oral growth.
The scan revealed a cancerous tumour at the base of Stuart’s tongue.
Oral cancers, which include those affecting the tongue, lips, and gums, have been increasing in the UK.
According to the Oral Health Foundation, over 10,800 cases of mouth cancer are now diagnosed annually in the UK, marking a 133 per cent rise over two decades.
Experts believe the surge is driven by cases in younger people, particularly in their 40s and 50s.
The Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant risk factor, with oral sex linked to an increased likelihood of throat and mouth cancers.
Dr Hisham Mehanna from the University of Birmingham stated that having multiple oral sex partners can raise the risk of oropharyngeal cancers by up to nine times.
Stuart underwent five weeks of radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Wirral.
He also participated in a clinical trial, hoping to benefit others facing similar diagnoses.
‘The night before my treatment started, Carol and I went to see the Blackpool Illuminations,’ he recalled.
‘We promised each other we’d come back when my treatment was finished.’
After treatment, Stuart had to relearn how to swallow and adapt the way he used his tongue.
‘When you’re having treatment every day, you know what to expect, you’re in a routine,’ he said.
‘There’s people around you to help and if you have any worries there’s always someone there to address that.
‘But when I went home and the worries continued, I really started to struggle.’
He credited the speech and language therapy team at Clatterbridge for his recovery.
‘I couldn’t have made the progress I did without them,’ he said.
By March 2022, doctors declared Stuart cancer-free, with no further signs of the disease.
Mouth ulcers that don’t heal, a hoarse voice, and persistent lumps in the mouth are all potential symptoms of oral cancer, according to the NHS.
Dr Heulwen Sheldrick, a speech and language therapist, supported Stuart during his recovery.
‘Stuart had a feeding tube fitted at the start of his treatment and our main focus was to adjust what/how to eat and drink in order to safely remove the tube,’ she explained.
‘Between the team’s support, Carol’s encouragement and Stuart’s hard work through speech and language therapy, he is now communicating in the clearest and most effective way possible.’
Stuart urged others to take unusual symptoms seriously and seek medical help.
‘Don’t think you’re invincible like I did,’ he said.
‘Accept the help of people who are highly skilled and qualified. Have trust and faith in their abilities and go into everything with a positive attitude taking it a day at a time.’
Have you ever noticed something unusual in your body that turned out to be more serious than you thought? Share your experiences in the comments – you might just help someone else recognise the signs before it’s too late.
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