Dean Flinn, 41, from West Derby, was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in October 2024 after a persistent sore throat lasting six to eight weeks. The dad-of-two, who has spent two years battling the disease, is now facing its rapid return and spread.
Holiday Interrupted by Diagnosis
Dean was on a two-week family holiday in Turkey with his wife Sarah, 35, their children Theo, eight, and Ella, six, and his sister-in-law Amy Newsham, 33, from Lydiate, during October half term when he received a phone call telling him to return home for further tests. He had initially visited his GP, who reassured him there was no cause for concern, but a second opinion through private healthcare led to further tests.
Five days into the holiday, Dean flew home for a scan before returning, but three days before the family was due to fly home, he received another call. Amy said: "They said to him that they would like to see him in the clinic as soon as he gets back. So as you can imagine Dean was sat watching his two little kids in the pool thinking the worst, basically."
After the family pushed for answers, Dean was told over the phone that the results were cancerous. Amy said: "He was absolutely devastated. We all were absolutely devastated. We were just in utter shock because Dean just went to see his GP because he had a sore throat. Cancer wasn't even something he thought it could be."
Treatment and Setbacks
After returning home, Dean underwent months of intensive chemotherapy alongside radiotherapy. In spring 2025, he completed treatment and rang the bell, with Theo and Ella wearing t-shirts reading 'You did it Daddy'. Amy said: "He was so strong and positive throughout that he was going to beat it. He did absolutely amazing. When he rang the bell, we all thought that was the end of it and that was the last time we were going to see cancer."
However, a full-body MRI scan in December 2025, offered as part of a clinical trial, revealed the cancer had returned and spread to his neck and lung. Dean had major surgery to remove the cancer in his neck but was left unable to swallow or eat food. Amy said: "Eating is a massive thing. It's everyday life and even the social side of things, so it's had a massive effect on Dean and the family. He lost so much weight. His sleep is disturbed every night because he's choking on his own spit because he can't swallow."
Dean began immunotherapy, but then experienced dizziness, collapsing, and paralysis down one side of his face. A lump appeared along his jawline, and further scans and a biopsy showed the cancer had grown rapidly, spreading up the back of his skull, wrapping around his carotid artery, and returning in his neck. Doctors planned another course of chemotherapy, but an infection delayed treatment, and Dean has now spent almost four weeks in hospital at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.
Family Support and Fundraiser
Amy said the delay was another crushing blow, as Dean was desperate to begin treatment: "He just wanted to get the treatments. He was desperate to get chemotherapy because he wants to be here for his kids." Sarah, a hospital pharmacist, has remained by Dean's side while trying to keep life normal for their children. The couple, together for more than 10 years, married in May this year.
Amy said Dean was always a hands-on dad, involved in every aspect of Theo and Ella's lives, from school pickups to activities. She said: "There was a massive change. The kids are aware and understand small amounts, but not to the extent where we'd want to scare them. We want to protect them."
Amy has launched a fundraiser to help the family explore further treatment options and create memories. The appeal has raised more than £30,000. Amy said: "The GoFundMe page is basically to help explore alternative treatment options, if there are any available to Dean. Sarah made an appointment with a professor down at the Royal Marsden in London to explore some alternative treatments and see what Dean's options are but unfortunately with him being in hospital they've had to cancel it because Dean was too unwell to travel."
She added: "But they've been strong, they've been hopeful. They've been like, 'We're going to do this, let's crack on, let's keep going.' I think this GoFundMe page will just give them that bit of hope again when all other hope was lost. The support they've had so far is absolutely amazing."
