BBC presenter David Cowan has shared a powerful message about the importance of early cancer detection, revealing that a lump the size of a wine gum on his jaw ultimately saved his life.
A Life-Saving Discovery
In late 2017, just weeks after his 50th birthday, the Edinburgh-based television journalist noticed a small, hard lump in his neck. The lump was painless and situated just underneath his jawline. Initially, David assumed it would disappear on its own, but after a few days, he decided to investigate his symptoms on the NHS website.
He was struck by the clear advice he found. "The advice came up very clearly that if you've got a painless, hard lump in your neck that doesn't go away, you should contact your GP practice," David recalled. He promptly booked an appointment, a decision he now credits with saving his life.
The Diagnosis and Treatment Journey
His GP immediately referred him to specialists, and about a month later, after tests at an NHS Lothian clinic in Edinburgh, another doctor confirmed his fears by feeling the lump and stating, 'that's cancer.'
David confessed his awareness of mouth cancer had been "very, very superficial" and he was "blissfully unaware" that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to a significant number of mouth cancer cases. Because the cancer was found early, he was given a 90% chance of successful treatment.
The treatment process was arduous. David lost two stones and was off work for five months, but he emphasises it was worth it. "I felt like I was in the expert embrace of the NHS; my experience was extremely positive throughout the whole thing," he said, praising the health service for fighting the cancer for him.
A New Lease on Life and a Vital Message
David received the all-clear in June 2018. He is now sharing his story as part of the Be the Early Bird campaign during Mouth Cancer Action Month to highlight the advantages of early detection.
"It doesn't matter where the cancer is, if you get it detected early, you've got a better chance of successful treatment," he stressed. "The crucial thing about cancer is getting treated as early as you possibly can."
He also expressed his delight that young boys, as well as girls, are now receiving HPV vaccinations in school, a key preventative measure. His ultimate plea to the public is simple: "If you're worried about something, no matter if you have reservations about going, please go and get it checked out."
