When Clare Davis-Eaton discovered a small, pea-sized lump on her neck, she dismissed it as insignificant. The thought that it could signal cancer never crossed her mind. This initial discovery, however, marked the beginning of an eight-year struggle against a rare and aggressive form of tongue cancer.
A Devastating Diagnosis and Initial Fight
After her GP ordered tests, the support worker, then in her forties, received the shattering news in March 2016. She had tongue cancer, and it had already spread to her lymph nodes. "My whole world fell apart," recalled the now 51-year-old.
She immediately began a gruelling six-week course of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. "It takes everything out of you," she said. "The chemo made me feel sick. I was drained. It wasn't just scary for me, it was scary for my kids."
By November 2016, treatment proved successful, and she was declared in remission. Just before Christmas, she had her feeding tube removed. "I felt like Christmas had come early," she said. Yet, the celebration was bittersweet as she struggled to eat normally.
The Cancer Returns with a Vengeance
Tragically, in June 2019, Clare found another lump. Coupled with extreme fatigue, she feared the worst. Her fears were confirmed three months later: the cancer had returned and spread further.
She underwent a major operation known as a neck dissection to remove the cancer and lymph nodes from the right side of her neck. When the surgery failed to eliminate all the cancer cells, she faced an impossible choice: more radiotherapy—which carried a risk of fatal complications—or a prognosis of just six months to live.
"I asked what would happen if I didn't undergo any further treatment and I was told six months," Clare explained. "I just said where do I sign."
A Determined Fight for Life and New Perspective
The second round of treatment was even more gruelling. "I felt like I couldn't do it, I was just ready to give up," she admitted. Determined to see another Christmas, she put her tree up in October 2019 while hospitalised for the final weeks of her therapy.
She finished treatment on 9 December 2019 and rang the bell. Finally, on her 50th birthday in August 2023, she received the life-affirming news that she was officially cancer-free, marking five years since her last treatment.
"It was a present no one could buy," Clare said. The ordeal has left her with lasting side effects, including difficulty swallowing, but also a profound gratitude. "Cancer isn't just a physical illness, it's a mental illness as well. I now know tomorrow isn't a given, it's a privilege."
The Growing UK Mouth Cancer Crisis
Clare's story underscores a alarming public health trend. Rates of mouth cancer have soared by more than a third in the UK over the past decade, with approximately 10,800 people now diagnosed annually. Over half of these cases occur on the tongue or tonsils.
Clare's cancer was an oropharyngeal cancer, developing at the base of the tongue. While early detection leads to a survival rate of over 80% after five years, the outlook deteriorates sharply once it spreads.
Key warning signs everyone should watch for include:
- An ulcer or sore that does not heal within three weeks.
- Red or white patches in the mouth or on the tongue.
- Difficulty swallowing or persistent pain.
- A lump in the neck or unexplained earache.
- Unexplained weight loss.
While smoking and heavy drinking are the primary risk factors, doctors stress that cases are increasingly appearing in people with no obvious risk factors, making public vigilance crucial.
Life After Cancer and Giving Back
The long health battle forced Clare to leave her job as a community support officer. She now volunteers with Macmillan Cancer Support, the charity that provided critical help during her lowest points.
"Macmillan came into my life when I was at my lowest, but they kept me afloat," she said. "They were also there for my family and no one was forgotten about—what they do is amazing."
Her journey from a pea-sized lump to a cancer-free declaration is a powerful testament to resilience in the face of a growing health epidemic.
