A WOMAN who put a “harmless” ulcer on her tongue down to being busy and run down began to feel concerned when a few months later it was still there.
Helen Keough noticed a new ulcer had appeared underneath her tongue in summer last year.
The 44-year-old project manager believed the painful sore was caused by being “busy and run down” but started to worry when the ulcer didn’t clear up.
After a visit to her GP and dentist, Helen was referred to hospital for further testing of the ulcer – but claims she didn’t receive her results for four weeks.
After being told to come into hospital, Helen was told the bothersome sore in her mouth was in fact a tumour – and she was diagnosed with stage two tongue cancer.
Helen, from Chelmsford, Essex, underwent an operation to have 6cm of her tongue removed, followed by an arduous recovery in which she had to learn how to talk and eat again.
Helen now lives with a new, reconstructed tongue but may need radiation treatment in the future due to the likelihood of her cancer returning.
Helen believes she would’ve “been dead within a year” if she hadn’t pushed health professionals for answers in the months leading to her diagnosis.
Helen said: “In late summer, I noticed a new ulcer appeared on my tongue. It was just an ulcer.
“It just felt like ulcer pain. I went to the pharmacy. It kept going for a bit then coming back again.
“I thought I was just so busy and run down. Because I’m so busy, it wasn’t until September that I went to my GP and they told me to go to my dentist.
“I went to my dentist and she filed my teeth down because she thought they were irritating my tongue and sent me away. But four weeks later it was getting so much worse.
“It got to the point where it was waking me up at night and it hurt to eat. It was just so sore.
“I was losing weight at the time and was very tired.”
Helen was referred to hospital where she underwent a biopsy to determine the cause of the mouth sore.
However, Helen claims it took four weeks for her to be told that the ulcer was in fact tongue cancer.
Helen said: “I contacted the hospital in every way possible and was made to feel like I wasn’t being patient.
“By the time I got my results and was told it was cancer, it had been four weeks.
I was shocked that an ulcer turned out to be a tumour. It just wasn’t on my radar whatsoever
Helen Keough
“I didn’t fall apart or anything, it was very much ‘what are we going to do next?’ I didn’t really understand how aggressive it could be.
“I was shocked that an ulcer turned out to be a tumour. It just wasn’t on my radar whatsoever.”
Helen sought a second opinion at a private hospital where she was told her cancer was stage-two and her lymph nodes would have to be removed.
Here, she was hospitalised for 12 days after undergoing a tracheotomy and skin graft surgery to make a new flap for her tongue.
Helen believes she was “let down at every turn” during her fight for a diagnosis – and is urging others to always advocate for themselves.
Helen said: “The surgery was extremely hard to get through. Because tests show this cancer has a very high chance of coming back, they want to give me radiation just in case anything was left behind.
“Radiation for head and neck cancer is life-altering, more so than surgery. If the GP, dentist, or hospital had done their job, I could’ve had this dealt with straight away and not been at the stage of facing radiation.
“I think I hadn’t got a second opinion with private healthcare, I think I would’ve been dead within a year or two.
“Now I’m telling everyone if you spot anything in your mouth that doesn’t go away naturally in a few weeks to go to your GP.
“I was let down at every turn. You have to advocate for yourself. The professionals are not always right. Because of the delays I now face even more life-changing treatment ahead of me and a poorer prognosis.”
Diane Sarkar, Chief Nursing and Quality Officer for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very sorry that Helen’s care fell below the standard she should expect.
“We are in contact with her and investigating the issues raised. This is an open complaint and we continue to keep Helen informed and are providing support.”
Main symptoms of mouth cancer to look out for
SYMPTOMS of mouth cancer can affect any part of your mouth including the gums, tongue, inside the cheeks, or lips.
Symptoms can include:
- a mouth ulcer in your mouth that lasts more than three weeks
- a red or white patch inside your mouth
- a lump inside your mouth or on your lip
- pain inside your mouth
- difficulty swallowing
- difficulty speaking or a hoarse (croaky) voice
- a lump in your neck or throat
- losing weight without trying
You should see a GP if you experience any of these symptoms.
A dentist can also help with ulcers, lumps, patches or pain in your mouth.
Source: NHS
