Imagine the shock and fear of hearing you have stage four cancer. For Hazel Smyth, that's exactly what happened, leading her to confront her own mortality and contemplate the unimaginable – planning her own funeral. It was a moment where she felt she was "looking death in the eye," a chilling realization that underscores the severity of her diagnosis.
The initial clue that something was amiss came in an unusual way. Hazel noticed a peculiar stinging sensation on the right side of her tongue. This wasn't a constant pain, but rather one triggered by specific foods, particularly those with strong flavors. It was an odd symptom, easily dismissed as a minor sensitivity, but it would eventually prove to be a crucial warning sign.
Specifically, foods like Walkers Prawn Cocktail crisps became a reliable trigger for this stinging sensation. While many people enjoy the tangy, savory flavor of these snacks without issue, for Hazel, they were an indicator of a deeper, underlying problem. This seemingly innocuous food became an unexpected signal from her body.
Initially, the stinging was sporadic and linked to distinctly flavored items. However, as time passed, Hazel observed the same discomfort arising even when she consumed blander foods. This prompted her to seek medical advice, leading to biopsies that ultimately revealed the truth: she had tongue cancer. What started as a minor annoyance turned out to be a life-altering diagnosis.
Reflecting on the early symptoms, Hazel recalled the stinging sensation on the right side of her tongue, particularly when eating flavorful dishes such as Chinese chicken curry or those distinctive prawn cocktail crisps. The connection between these foods and the discomfort was undeniable, even though she initially attributed it to a less serious cause.
At first, Hazel brushed it off, attributing the stinging to a mild allergy or food intolerance. The pain would typically subside after about 10 minutes, further reinforcing the idea that it wasn't anything serious. It's easy to downplay such symptoms, especially when they are intermittent and relatively short-lived.
However, when the discomfort started occurring even with plain foods like chocolate or tomatoes, Hazel knew she couldn't ignore it any longer. A civil servant by profession, she understood the importance of addressing potential health issues promptly. She consulted her general practitioner (GP) to investigate the cause of the persistent stinging.
The GP took her concerns seriously, leading to two biopsies to examine the cells in the affected area of her tongue. The results confirmed the presence of abnormal cells, and in August 2024, Hazel received the diagnosis: stage-one tongue cancer. This marked the beginning of a challenging journey, but also the start of her fight against the disease.
Describing her experience, Hazel recounted, "I was actually just eating prawn cocktail crisps and I thought the right side of my tongue was stinging." This seemingly ordinary moment became etched in her memory as the first clear sign that something was wrong. The intensity of the stinging was enough to make her take notice.
Intrigued, she examined her tongue. "I looked at my tongue and there was nothing there – no redness or anything." This lack of visible symptoms made it even easier to dismiss the stinging as a fleeting issue. It highlights the importance of paying attention to internal sensations, even when there are no outward signs.
The episodes continued sporadically. "A few months later I had a chicken curry from the Chinese and the tongue was stinging so much, I had to put cold water on my mouth," Hazel explained. The intensity of the pain was surprising, considering it was just a "plain, mild curry." The inconsistency and seemingly random triggers added to the confusion.
Repeating the experience only confirmed the link. "When I tried to eat the curry again, the same thing happened," she said. This pattern of certain foods triggering the stinging sensation provided valuable information that ultimately led to her diagnosis. It underscores the importance of noticing and tracking recurring symptoms.
"It was always the right side of my tongue. It was a hot, stinging pain. It felt like my mouth was on fire and would last around 10 minutes," Hazel described. The specific location and nature of the pain were consistent, offering a crucial clue to the underlying problem. The intensity of the pain was clearly significant enough to cause concern.
Initially, she tried to rationalize the discomfort. "I just thought to myself maybe I just can't eat this type of food anymore. Maybe I have an intolerance," Hazel admitted. This is a common reaction – trying to explain away symptoms with more benign causes. However, the persistence of the problem eventually prompted her to seek medical help.
The absence of other symptoms further complicated the situation. "If I wasn't eating spicy food, I was fine. I had no other signs or symptoms," Hazel explained. This made it even easier to dismiss the stinging as a minor issue, rather than a potential indicator of cancer. The lack of additional warning signs underscores the importance of paying attention to even seemingly isolated symptoms.
"There was no redness or patches on my tongue," she emphasized. The absence of visible abnormalities on her tongue made it difficult to suspect a serious condition like cancer. It's a reminder that not all symptoms are visible, and internal sensations can be just as important to monitor.
Tongue cancer, as Hazel learned, is a type of head and neck cancer. The Mouth Cancer Foundation reports that approximately 8,800 cases are diagnosed annually. Early detection is critical for successful treatment, highlighting the importance of recognizing potential symptoms.
Common symptoms, as outlined by medical professionals, include a mouth sore or ulcer that doesn't heal, a red or white patch on the tongue, a lump or thickening, and unexplained bleeding. These are all visual signs that should prompt immediate medical attention. However, not all symptoms are so obvious.
While a burning or stinging sensation *can* be a symptom of tongue cancer, it's crucial to understand that it's not always present and is more often caused by non-cancerous conditions. Burning mouth syndrome and simple mouth sores are far more common culprits. This underscores the importance of seeking professional medical advice for any persistent or concerning oral symptoms.
Following her initial diagnosis, Hazel underwent surgery to remove a section of her tongue. Unfortunately, doctors later discovered that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. This upstaging of the cancer significantly impacted her prognosis, giving her a 50 percent survival rate. This was devastating news, changing everything she thought she knew about her condition.
Now classified as stage-four cancer, Hazel faced a daunting challenge. She underwent a seven-hour operation during which surgeons removed two tumors from her lymph nodes. This aggressive treatment was necessary to combat the spread of the disease and improve her chances of survival. The surgery was a major step in her fight against cancer.
The news of the cancer spreading was incredibly difficult to process. "I couldn't understand because they'd caught the cancer so early," Hazel said. "Then they told me I had a 50 percent chance of surviving five years." The uncertainty and fear were overwhelming. This highlights the unpredictable nature of cancer and the importance of ongoing monitoring and treatment.
The gravity of the situation hit her hard. "I thought I was dying. I felt like I was looking death in the eye. I felt am I going to have to plan my funeral?" Hazel recalled. This moment of raw emotion underscores the profound impact a cancer diagnosis can have on an individual's life. The fear of the unknown and the potential loss of life are deeply unsettling.
Fortunately, Hazel received wonderful news in November 2024: she was cancer-free. She believes that the early warning signs provided by those spicy foods may have saved her life. This positive outcome is a testament to the importance of early detection and prompt medical intervention. Her story offers hope and encouragement to others facing similar challenges.
"I went to see a consultant two weeks later and was told it had been removed and I was now cancer-free but would have to go through preventative radiotherapy to make sure there were no micro-cells in my tongue or neck," she said. Even after surgery, preventative measures were necessary to minimize the risk of recurrence. This underscores the comprehensive nature of cancer treatment.
"I could've just put the whole thing down to an allergy and ignored it. It would've been a major surgery and spread further," Hazel acknowledged. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that even seemingly minor symptoms should be investigated, as they could be early indicators of a serious condition. Ignoring those early signs could have had devastating consequences.
"That packet of crisps and curry helped save my life. It was my body telling me there was something wrong with me," she stated. It's a remarkable testament to the body's ability to signal when something is amiss. Hazel's experience highlights the importance of listening to your body and paying attention to any unusual or persistent symptoms.
Hazel is now urging others to be proactive about their health. "I would tell anyone else to get any pain or changes in your mouth checked out by the doctors," she advises. Her experience underscores the importance of early detection and prompt medical intervention in the fight against cancer. Raising awareness and encouraging others to seek medical advice is her way of giving back and helping others avoid a similar ordeal.
For more detailed information about tongue cancer, its symptoms, and treatment options, consult reputable sources such as the Cancer Research UK website or the American Cancer Society. Early detection and prompt treatment are key to improving outcomes for those diagnosed with this disease.