Cancer survivor says people should ‘seek help’ if they discover weird symptom in their mouth
A cancer survivor has urged people to 'seek help' if they spot this weird symptom in their mouth - and you really ought to take notice, as this man is speaking from experience.
Chris Byrne explained he received his horror diagnosis just weeks after he noticed that there was something unusual going on inside of his gob, so he knows all too well that time is of the essence when it comes to cancer.
The 66-year-old, Bewdley, Worcestershire, explained he raised his concerns with his wife, who advised him to get the odd-looking ulcer which had cropped up on his tongue checked out by an expert.
"So, I went along to my dentist who referred me into the head and neck team at the local hospital," Chris told the Mirror. "At the time I wasn't sure what it was, but I never suspected cancer."
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Sadly, doctors informed him that a biopsy confirmed their suspicions and that he was suffering from mouth cancer.
This form of the disease, also known as oral cancer, can affect any part of the mouth, including the gums, tongue, inside the cheeks, or lips - and although it can happen to anyone, most cases involve those ages between 66 and 70.
The NHS explains that symptoms include mouth ulcers which last more than three weeks, red or white patches, lumps, pain, difficulty swallowing, struggling to speak, a lump in your neck or throat or losing weight unintentionally.
Thankfully, Chris had caught his early, which meant he wouldn't need to undergo radiotherapy post-surgery.
But he still faced a gruelling 10-hour operation, where doctors removed part of his tongue before reconstructing it using skin taken from his forearm, as well as also extracting several lymph nodes.
"I'm proud of the scar on my arm and my new tongue," the Brit said. "It's a reminder that I did the right thing and didn't hesitate going to see my dentist."
Six years after the life-changing op, Chris is now cancer-free and is channelling his energy into helping others.
Alongside another cancer survivor, he co-founded a local branch of The Swallows head and neck cancer charity to offer support to others about to face the same fight that he did.
Chris continued: "I'm so grateful that I didn't ignore that mouth ulcer and got it checked out.
"My speech is good and my neck scars barely noticeable. I realise now just how important it is know your own body and to seek help if you notice something that isn't normal for you."
And that's why he is throwing his weight behind Asda's new campaign with the NHS, which is using millions of toothpaste tubes and mouthwash bottles to help share 'vital advice' about the signs of mouth cancer.
From this month, you can pick up a string of dental care products in your local store which have labels that list the potential symptoms as well as when it might be time to book an appointment with your GP or dentist.
The collaboration was launched on 27 July to coincide with World Head and Neck Cancer Day.
Shoppers can have a read of the information on the packaging before following a link to the NHS website to get more details, in the hopes that this will prompt people into keeping tabs on whats going on inside of their mouths.
Figures from the Mouth Cancer Foundation warn that it is the eight most common type of the disease in the UK and that it is twice as common in men over women.
Chris reckons this kind of campaign is 'so important' for the public, while adding that he is very chuffed to hear the informative oral hygiene products will be available to pick up in over 500 locations across the nation.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's national clinical director for cancer, said: "Early detection of mouth cancer can help save lives and this fantastic new partnership with Asda will be vital in raising awareness of the signs and in supporting the NHS's ambition to diagnose more cancers at an earlier stage.
"By placing health messaging on products like toothpaste tubes and mouthwash bottles that people use every day, we're encouraging people to be vigilant about potential symptoms of mouth cancer and to get checked early.
"Like many other cancers, mouth cancers have a much better prognosis if found early raising awareness is a crucial step, and while many of these symptoms won't be caused by cancer, we'd encourage anyone with any concerns to come forward and contact their dentist or GP."
Olivia Burke