Young Woman Faces Tongue Removal After Ulcers Reveal Cancer Diagnosis
A young woman from Dover is set to lose nearly half of her tongue after mouth ulcers she suffered for over a year were found to be a symptom of cancer. Olivia Donnelly, aged 25, first began experiencing excruciating ulcers in early 2024, with the pain so severe it left her 'crying her eyes out' and struggling to eat or speak.
Delayed Diagnosis and False Hope
Despite multiple visits to her GP and tests for conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, Crohn's disease, and diabetes, doctors were unable to identify the cause of her symptoms. It was not until nearly a year later, during a routine dental appointment, that she was referred to hospital specialists.
In January 2025, a biopsy revealed Olivia had oral lichen planus, a little-known inflammatory condition that can increase the risk of developing mouth cancer. Following this diagnosis, her symptoms temporarily eased, giving her false hope that the worst was behind her. 'I thought they might have cut something out when they did the biopsy,' she recalled.
Symptoms Return and Cancer Confirmation
By August 2025, the ulcers flared up again, with specialists initially attributing them to her teeth rubbing against her tongue and providing a gum guard for nighttime use. Then, in January 2026, Olivia noticed a hard lump forming on her tongue. A specialist compared images from the previous year and, despite initial reassurances, ordered another biopsy 'just to rule out cancer'.
After the biopsy in March 2026, she was told to expect results in six to eight weeks, but received a call just two weeks later. 'I just knew,' she said. 'Why would they call me back so early if it was nothing? My heart just sank. I was crying, staring into space - I wasn't taking anything in. I kept asking, "What do I do now?"' The reality of her diagnosis became even more stark when cancer support staff entered the room, prompting her to ask, 'Am I going to die?'
Major Surgery and Recovery Ahead
Now, Olivia faces a gruelling two-week hospital stay and a major operation where surgeons will remove 40 percent of her tongue. Doctors plan to rebuild it using skin taken from her wrist. Post-surgery, she will need to be fed through a tube and undergo intensive therapy to relearn how to eat and speak.
She is now urging others not to ignore seemingly minor symptoms. According to the NHS, a tongue ulcer that lasts more than three weeks is a primary symptom of mouth cancer and should be examined by a dentist or doctor, especially if it is painful, bleeds, or does not heal. These ulcers are often firm, raised, and may appear red or white, typically occurring on the sides or underside of the tongue.
Mouth Cancer Statistics and Risks
Cancers affecting the head and neck are the eighth most common form of cancer overall in the UK, with rates two to three times higher in men than in women. Approximately 12,500 new cases are diagnosed annually, according to Cancer Research UK, and incidences are projected to increase by three percent between 2024-2026 and 2038-2040, reaching around 16,300 new cases each year by 2038-2040.
Key facts about tongue cancer:
- Tongue cancer is a type of head and neck cancer, with symptoms including a persistent spot or lump on the tongue.
- Risk factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
- HPV is a common virus that usually causes no harm but can increase cancer risk in some individuals.
- The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in the flat, skin-like cells lining the mouth and throat.
