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Woman Who Found An Ulcer In Her Mouth Told It Was 'nothing' Before Finding Out Devastating Truth
A woman discovered an ulcer in her mouth, only to find out that it was something much worse.
Saskia Rogers was 16 at the time, living in Hobart, Tasmania and attending school.
One day, she scanned the roof of her mouth in boredom, only to find a strange patch of skin was being brushed by her tongue.
At the time, she didn't think much of it, but over time it grew in size, to around the size of a pea.
The teen became uneasy with the bump and during an appointment with her GP for an illness, she decided to bring up her ulcer issue.
She told him that the 'unusual' lump 'never went away', and while she was told to monitor it, it didn't raise any 'immediate concerns' for her.
Saskia Rogers was 16 when she noticed a lump in her mouth (Family Handout)However, just one year later, Rogers became aware that the small bump has now 'quadrupled in size', and was painful with a 'bright purple appearance'.
But again, the GP told her that it was 'likely nothing' and advised that it wasn't cancer and it didn't need to be removed, but if she wanted to be considered for an elective surgery, she could choose to have it taken out.
She said to the Daily Mail: "My GP agreed it was unusual, stating it was likely nothing but decided to refer us to a specialist surgeon just in case.
"At the specialist's direction, we followed up with CT scans where I was told it was a benign lump with no malignant properties.
"It was unexpected to hear that the lump did not need to be removed, and I remember being taken off guard when I was given the option for an elective surgery.
"My parents are incredibly supportive, and they said they would back me through the surgery if it was affecting my day-to-day life - a choice that may well have saved my life."
It was after this procedure that she was then diagnosed with oral cancer.
The teen was told that it was benign (Family Handout)The teen, who had been 'studying hard and focusing on school with the dream of heading into medicine' was suddenly thrown into a world that she didn't know.
While she used to have 'lots of friends', those she was closest to would leave her after they realised that they couldn't relate to her cancer battle.
Explaining what life was like before her cancer was found, Rogers believes that there were clues.
She said that she would be struck down with common bugs which could take an 'abnormal' length of time to clear up, saying: "I would get fatigued earlier than my peers - signs that my immune system was preoccupied.
"Naturally, in the height of Year 11 and in my busy schedule it was nothing that seemed particularly remarkable, rather just something that happened to me."
Rogers had to undergo three major surgeries, including a mouth reconstruction, which stopped her from being able to talk as she had a hole in her mouth.
It was oral cancer (Family Handout)Her battle affected everything, including her social life at school.
She explained: "I realised my peers didn't understand what I was going through.
"My friends and peers didn't know what to say. There was nothing they could say that would make it easier or help get rid of the horrible emotions I was feeling. And so, friendships became hard.
"I was weird for being unable to talk, 'disgusting' for bleeding in class. Many of my peers only saw my experiences at school and failed to take the time to empathise with my situation.
"It was confronting to watch, but more so when you are living it."
That's when her mum suggested she join the youth cancer charity Canteen.
Rogers stated: "No one understood what I had gone through... But in Canteen, I met people that for the first time understood."
Now, at 20, she's a youth ambassador for the group and is currently waiting to start nursing in February 2025.
'I Had 25% Of My Tongue Removed': NI Woman With Mouth Ulcer That Was Oral Cancer On Importance Of Dental Check-ups
Etain Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with oral cancer in September 2022 after noticing that a persistent mouth ulcer had not healed for several weeks.
The woman hopes her cancer journey highlights the critical role dental check-ups play in the early detection of oral health issues.
She explained she is passionate about raising awareness of oral cancer and is encouraging others to attend regular dental appointments.
In early 2021 Etain explained she attended a routine dental examination when her dentist initially noticed some white spots under her tongue, she was then referred to the Ulster Hospital to have these investigated and a biopsy was performed.
The results of the biopsy came back clear with nothing of a concerning nature, she was told to keep a close check for any further changes.
However, in August 2022 Etain noticed that an ulcer had started to form on the side of her tongue, which was very uncomfortable and painful at times.
She explained: "I was using an over-the-counter gel and I ended up going to the chemist to see if I could get something a little bit stronger as the ulcer was so painful as it was catching on my teeth.
"The pharmacist recommended that I go back to my dentist who, following examination, then referred me as a red-flag patient to the Ulster Hospital. Within five weeks, I had an appointment and had a biopsy of the ulcer undertaken.
"During the five-week wait, the ulcer got really aggressive and painful to the extent that I could hardly eat and I started to lose weight, only able to eat yogurts and soft fruit."
Following the biopsy, she had a gut feeling that it wasn't going to be good news. Etain was told that cancer had been detected.
Etain's arm now healed following graft.
"Very swiftly, I was admitted to the Ulster Hospital and underwent surgery to remove the cancer from my tongue. I was in surgery for approximately ten hours and had 25% of my tongue removed," she said.
"My tongue was rebuilt using various grafts from my thigh and arm and I spent around 10 days in hospital recovering.
"The surgery was extensive and everything was explained to me beforehand, how my speech could be severely impacted and that I could have problems moving my neck."
Her recovery went well, however after being discharged from hospital, she explainedwaiting for the pathology report was an "extremely anxious" time.
She said: "When the consultant contacted me to tell me that I was now cancer-free, I was in tears, I couldn't believe it.
"He said I had a good margin and no further treatment such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy was required.
"Around 50% of oral cancer patients who have had the same type of surgery as myself require some form of additional treatment, so somebody was definitely looking down on me. I feel blessed that I did not require any further treatment.
"My advice is never ignore dental appointments, I never thought my dentist would be the first port of call for oral cancer. I never miss a dental appointment and it was my dentist who identified the cancer.
"It was never a cancer that crossed my mind. I had breast cancer eighteen years ago, so raising awareness is so important to me."
Now on the road to recovery, Etain, a keen mountain walker said that physical exercise has helped her both mentally and physically.
She stated: "A big part of my life is physical activity such as climbing mountains as I live in Co Down with beautiful surroundings and parks.
"Physical activity definitely helped me on my road to recovery both mentally and physically."
Mr John Hanratty (Consultant Oral & Maxillo-Facial Surgeon)
Highlighting the signs and symptoms of oral cancer, consultant oral & maxillo-facial Surgeon, Mr John Hanratty explained: "Mouth cancer can present in different ways, it could be an ulcer that has been present for more than three weeks, a white or red patch in the mouth that is giving symptoms of pain, or a lump or swelling in the mouth, oral cavity or neck area.
"So we would ask that if you have any of these you should be checked by a dentist or GP.
"Evidence also shows that oral cancer is more prevalent with social deprivation, poor diet, increased alcohol consumption and smoking which are all increased risk factors.
"We know that early detection and treatment can lead to better outcomes for the patient. But unfortunately only 20% of people will present with an early stage cancer.
"The majority about 45% will present with a cancer that is large or has spread elsewhere and this gives the cancer a greater stage and poorer outcome for patients. So we would ask that if you have a problem please don't be afraid to let your doctor or dentist know."
Reflecting on her cancer journey, Etain stated, "I cannot thank the oral and maxillo-facial team at the Ulster Hospital enough, they are my heroes and my angels.
"From the consultants, nurses, clinic staff and those on the ward, they are simply amazing, what a team."
News Catch up - Wednesday 27th November
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