When Wilbur Wilde walked into his dentist’s surgery, he thought it was just another routine check-up.
Instead, that ordinary appointment uncovered something that would change his life forever.
What followed was a journey of resilience, humour, and a stark reminder about the importance of vigilance in our health.
A routine appointment with unexpected consequences
In 2022, Wilde—best known as the charismatic saxophone player from Hey Hey It’s Saturday—visited his dentist for a regular check-up.
The 69-year-old had always been diligent about his dental health, but this time the dentist noticed a suspicious discolouration in his mouth.
When the mark did not disappear, Wilde was referred for a biopsy, and the diagnosis was devastating.
He had squamous cell carcinoma, one of the most common forms of oral cancer.
‘It was a shock,’ Wilde told the Herald Sun. ‘I can’t say I was scared… I just try to deal with things on their merits and not coping was not an option for me.’
'The first morning after the procedure, when [my doctor came to check] I looked at him and I said: "You are very good, I can still pronounce anaesthesiologist."'
Life-altering surgery
By early 2023, Wilde was undergoing major surgery to remove a third of his tongue and the floor of his mouth.
For a man whose career revolved around music and performance, the risks to his speech and ability to play wind instruments were immense.
His relief was evident when he could still articulate words clearly after the operation, even joking with his doctor about pronouncing ‘anaesthesiologist’.
A growing health concern
Oral cancer—predominantly squamous cell carcinoma—remains a lethal and often disfiguring disease.
In 2024 alone, 769 Australians were diagnosed, with the average age of diagnosis being 67 years old.
Although largely preventable through lifestyle changes like reducing tobacco and alcohol use, survival rates remain at about 50 per cent due to many cases being detected at advanced stages.
Encouragingly, when caught early, survival improves significantly, with some Australian studies showing five-year disease-specific survival rates of 83.3 per cent.
Research from Queensland highlighted that tongue cancers make up 49 per cent of cases, and diagnoses increased 4.49-fold over 36 years.
Warning signs to watch for during dental checks
Discolouration or patches in the mouth that don't disappear
Persistent sores or ulcers
Difficulty swallowing or persistent hoarseness
Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
Lumps or thickening of tissues
Recovery and resilience
Following his surgery, Wilde underwent intensive speech rehabilitation.
Working with a speech pathologist, he slowly regained his ability to communicate effectively and returned to performing on stage.
The good news was that Wilde was later told he was ‘cancer clear’.
His positive outlook and trademark humour became central to his recovery.
A bittersweet reminder
Wilde’s story was given deeper significance by the loss of his close friend and Hey Hey It’s Saturday colleague, John Blackman.
Blackman, who endured the removal of his jaw during his own cancer battle, died in June 2024 at the age of 76.
Wilde delivered a heartfelt tribute at his friend’s funeral, recalling: ‘He was a father figure, a hero, a comedy doctor, an attitude coach and a dear friend. No Blackers, no Hey Hey. He turned a kids show into a very enjoyable adult show.’
Key points for maintaining oral health
- Schedule regular dental check-ups every 6 months
- Don't ignore persistent mouth sores or discolouration
- Be aware that oral cancer risk increases with age
- Early detection dramatically improves survival rates
- Maintain good oral hygiene and avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol
The bigger picture
Australia has no national screening program for oral cancer, meaning awareness and routine dental care remain the strongest defences against late-stage diagnoses.
For those who grew up watching Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Wilde’s story struck a personal chord.
It showed that even the brightest entertainers are not immune to life’s toughest challenges.
Moving forward with hope
Today, Wilde continues to perform, share his music, and live with optimism.
His experience is a powerful reminder that the check-up we put off might just be the one that saves our life.
What This Means For You
Wilbur Wilde’s cancer was first detected during a routine dental appointment, showing just how critical those simple check-ups can be.
Early detection can make all the difference, with survival rates for oral cancer rising from around 50 per cent to more than 80 per cent when caught early.
The sad passing of his friend John Blackman underscored the urgency of not putting off regular health checks.
And with no national screening program in Australia, it falls on each of us to stay vigilant. For seniors in particular, Wilde’s story is a powerful reminder that keeping those dental and medical appointments could one day save your life.
Mouth cancer | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments | Cancer Council — Overview of mouth cancer in Australia, including estimated cases in 2024 and the average age of diagnosis.
https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/mouth-cancer
Oral cancer in Australia: Rising incidence and worsening mortality — Study highlighting the increasing incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma and its lethality.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36852511/
Oral cancer in Australia: Rising incidence and worsening mortality—Sun—2023—Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine—Wiley Online Library — Research outlining oral cancer trends in Australia and prevention factors.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jop.13421
Factors affecting survival in patients with oral cancer: an Australian perspective — Study showing that early detection improves survival rates, with 5-year disease-specific survival reaching 83.3%.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16053871/
Oral cancer in Australia: Rising incidence and worsening mortality — Research from Queensland showing tongue cancers account for 49% of cases and a 4.49-fold increase over 36 years.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36852511/
Cancer of the Oral Cavity and Pharynx—Cancer Stat Facts — Data showing that oral cavity and pharynx cancers are most frequently diagnosed among people aged 55–64.
https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/oralcav.html
Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma—Characteristics and Survival in Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Western Australians — Study noting that SCC accounts for over 90% of oral cavity cancers, with about 2,500 new cases annually in Australia.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4200744/
Oral cancer in Australia: Rising incidence and worsening mortality — Analysis noting the lack of national screening programs and the importance of routine dental care for early detection.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36852511/
Have you ever delayed a routine health check, only to discover later it might have caught something important?
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