Difficult path to diagnosis

My story is that for around a year before my diagnosis in May 2017, my upper mouth was painful, reddened and despite visits to dentists and specialist dentist (and a biopsy in 2015) the answer was “candida, and you need to clean better behind that bridge”…. I pushed...

read more

Tongue Cancer Story from USA – new therapy

Thank you to the Charleston newspaper for this detailed story on one of our most common head and neck cancers.  Charleston City Market stalwart returning to activities after bout with oral cancer Leslie Cantu   June 16, 2023      Susan Shelton creates...

read more

Cancer vet muses on complementary therapies

Our policy as a charity is to stick to tried and true cancer treatment but there are complementary therapies that might provide comfort and enhance health. Here is a personal attempt to clarify the somewhat murky field of alternative and complementary treatments....

read more

Surviving after head and neck recurrences

Feb 28, 2023 - anticipating 6th cancer surgery Tomorrow I go into the hospital for my 5th head and neck cancer op. It will be one of my smallest ops but I’m old now and I’ve had one huge surgery and three smaller head and neck ones (for non-cancer purposes)  since...

read more

A New Normal

A New Normal An interesting term I have run into during my cancer journey is the term ‘a new normal’. I have heard many times that things will ‘return to normal’ after MOHS surgery or similar dermatological procedures. A ‘new normal’ was a little different. Things...

read more

Tongue cancer: Nicky’s story

Nicky's story This is the beginning of Nicky's story which was published on stuff.co.nz in 2020. Hearing the very sad news that the legendary Eddie Van Halen passed away from throat cancer, I thought it timely to tell my story. In August, 2017 I developed a painful...

read more