“Am I going to die?”: the harrowing reality of living with mouth cancer

  Posted by: Dental Design      20th November 2024

For thousands of people across the UK, hearing the words “you have cancer” can feel like the end of life as they know it. The sheer weight of a mouth cancer diagnosis brings with it not only physical challenges but also profound emotional fears and worries, reshaping lives forever. 

This November, as part of Mouth Cancer Action Month, new research from the Oral Health Foundation reveals the raw reality faced by those diagnosed with mouth cancer. The findings expose the profound fear of mortality, with dying identified as the most common concern.

Almost half (45%) of mouth cancer patients cited this as their biggest worry. For parents like Rachel Parsons, the fear of leaving their children behind becomes an unbearable shadow over their lives.

Rachel’s story begins on Boxing Day 2007. A mother of five from Coventry, she first noticed a lump in her mouth – a lump that would soon turn her world upside down.

“You hear that word cancer, and you don’t hear anything else. You just hear a noise,” she recalls.

Rachel brought her mother to the hospital appointment where the diagnosis was confirmed. When the doctor revealed the results, Rachel immediately said: “It’s cancer, isn’t it?”  When he confirmed, her mum broke down. Rachel didn’t. She says: “It was almost a relief. I’d been in pain for so long, and now something could be done.”

But the relief was fleeting. Moments later, she was consumed by a new fear – the possibility of dying and leaving her children behind. She asked her cancer nurse: “Am I going to die?” The nurse replied, “I don’t know. I can’t tell you that.” Rachel recalled: “That was the only time I really broke down.”

Rachel’s fear is far from unique. The Oral Health Foundation study, involving more than 100 mouth cancer patients also found the fear of leaving their children behind (35%), and breaking the news to friends and family to be the next hardest parts of their journey (40%).

Even after treatment, the emotional toll persists. A staggering 83% of people with mouth cancer remain haunted by the fear that the cancer might return. Dr Nigel Carter, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, acknowledges the weight of these fears. “Hearing the words mouth cancer can be one of the most frightening moments in anyone’s life,” he says.

“Rachel’s story is a reminder of the real, human impact of mouth cancer. Behind every diagnosis is a person grappling with fears of mortality, the heartbreak of possibly leaving loved ones behind, and the hope of finding the strength to fight another day.”

As part of Mouth Cancer Action Month, the Oral Health Foundation urges everyone to be aware of the signs of mouth cancer and to support those living through this devastating disease. Early detection saves lives, and sharing stories like Rachel’s is a vital step in breaking the silence around this life-changing illness.

Latest figures released by the charity show 10,825 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer in the UK last year. This has increased by 133% in the last 20 years and propels mouth cancer into the top 10 most common cancers.

Further findings show 3,637 people lost their life to mouth cancer – translating to ten people every day.

“While most cancers are on the decline, we are seeing cases of mouth cancer increase at an alarming rate. Despite this, we are still in a position where around one-in-four of the population are still unaware that its possible to get cancer in and around the mouth.

“Beating mouth cancer relies on knowing the early warning signs. This includes ulcers that do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth are all signs of mouth cancer. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, get checked out by visiting your dentist or doctor.”

If you would like more information about mouth cancer, go to www.mouthcancer.org.

No Comments

No comments yet.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.