Dan Durant, a 26-year-old barman from Stafford, never imagined that a simple ulcer on his tongue could be a sign of something serious. He had dealt with mouth ulcers before and didn’t think twice when a small, whitish patch the size of a one pence coin appeared on the right side of his tongue in August last year. Treating it with Bonjella, Dan carried on with life, barely giving it a second thought.
A Painful Sneezing Incident Changes Everything
It wasn’t until Dan accidentally bit down on the ulcer while sneezing that the situation escalated. The ulcer became inflamed, prompting him to visit a doctor. What seemed like a minor irritation quickly turned into a life-altering diagnosis. Dan was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a type of cancer affecting the skin and the skin-like cells lining the inside of the mouth.
The Operation: A Fight for His Life
In an 11-hour surgery, doctors removed two tumors from Dan’s tongue, taking away 50 percent of it. They reconstructed his tongue using skin from his left forearm, a complex procedure that also involved dissecting his neck to remove a cancerous lymph node. Dan is now waiting for biopsy results to determine if additional treatment, such as radiotherapy, will be necessary.
A Lucky Break: How Biting His Tongue Saved His Life
Reflecting on his journey, Dan shared that a nurse told him he was lucky to have bitten his tongue, as it led to the discovery of the cancer. Before that, he had been losing weight and experiencing a sore throat but didn’t suspect anything was seriously wrong. It was only after biting the ulcer and realizing it wasn’t healing that Dan sought medical attention, which led to the life-saving diagnosis.
The Reality of Mouth Cancer
Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, is one of the most common cancers globally, with more than 8,000 cases diagnosed in Britain each year and close to 55,000 in the U.S. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 90 percent of oral cancer cases. Symptoms often include ulcers that don’t heal, lumps, red or white patches, sore throats, or difficulty swallowing.
Rebuilding and Recovering: A Challenging Journey
On September 12, 2024, Dan underwent an extensive surgery to remove the tumors. Initially, doctors hoped to only take part of his tongue, but they found a second tumor, which led to the removal of half of it. Skin from his forearm was used to reconstruct his tongue, while skin from his stomach replaced the area on his arm. Blood vessels from his forearm were also transplanted to ensure blood flow to the reconstructed tongue.
Learning to Eat and Speak Again
Following the surgery, Dan spent eight days in the hospital, adjusting to life with his new tongue. Now on a soft food diet, he’s slowly relearning how to chew and swallow. “It’s been a challenge,” Dan admitted. “My jaw aches a lot, and it’s like relearning basic things.”
A Life-Changing Diagnosis and a New Perspective
Dan’s diagnosis came at a time when he was about to start a new job, but the cancer has made him unable to work for the foreseeable future. Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful, waiting for the results from his lymph node biopsy. If the results show minimal cancer cells, Dan expects to undergo just one round of radiotherapy.
Raising Awareness and Support for Cancer Research
While adjusting to his new reality, Dan has also taken on a mission to raise awareness about mouth cancer. He has set up a fundraiser to help cover his living costs during this difficult period, with plans to donate any leftover funds to cancer research. His friends and family have been his strongest support system throughout his journey.
A Life Turned Upside Down: Reflecting on the Journey
“It’s incredible how everything feels normal, and then all of a sudden, it’s not,” Dan shared. His diagnosis has been life-changing, but with the support of his loved ones and a positive outlook, he’s determined to face whatever comes next with strength and resilience.