Episodes

  • Amelia's Story

    Amelia's Story
    Jul 18 2025

    In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, host Barbara sits down with Amelia, a fellow tongue cancer patient and mother of three, to share her powerful and deeply personal journey. Amelia's story begins in May 2024 with what seemed like a minor ulcer on her tongue—an issue initially dismissed by her dentist. Trusting her instincts, she sought a second opinion from her GP, leading to a biopsy and a life-changing diagnosis of tongue cancer.

    Amelia walks us through the whirlwind that followed: a partial glossectomy, neck dissection, and a radial forearm free flap reconstruction. She opens up about the difficult road to recovery, including the unexpected challenge of vocal cord palsy and the emotional weight of radiotherapy.

    Despite ongoing complications and the need for additional surgery, Amelia remains resilient. She speaks candidly about the strength she draws from her support system and her unwavering determination to live life to the fullest. The episode closes as she looks ahead to an upcoming procedure, facing the future with courage and hope.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    59 mins
  • Expert Guest: Professor Camilla Dawson

    Expert Guest: Professor Camilla Dawson
    Jul 11 2025
    In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, host Barbara is joined by Professor Camilla Dawson, a speech and language consultant. They explore Camilla’s professional background, her journey into speech therapy, and her deep commitment to supporting cancer patients. The discussion covers best practices for speech and language support before and after treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy. Key topics include the importance of meeting the care team prior to surgery, managing speech and swallowing difficulties and the effects of radiation on the muscles of the tongue and throat. Barbara and Camilla also address the emotional and psychological aspects of recovery, touching on issues such as intimacy after treatment and the concept of liminality. They highlight the value of personalised care plans and the ongoing need for innovation and research in the field. The episode concludes with an insightful look at tracheostomies, including how patients can prepare for them both mentally and physically.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Amy's Story

    Amy's Story
    Jul 4 2025
    In this powerful episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, Barbara sits down with Amy, a fellow tongue cancer survivor, as she recounts her deeply personal journey from diagnosis to recovery. Amy opens up about life before cancer: her career, family, and passions - and the moment an unexpected ulcer turned into a stage three diagnosis. She walks us through the physical and emotional trials of surgery and radiation and the essential role of community and workplace support in her healing. Amy also shares how she’s navigating her return to work and adapting to new health realities. This episode is a candid, hopeful, and inspiring look at resilience in the face of life-altering illness.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr
  • Elfie's Story

    Elfie's Story
    Jun 27 2025

    In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, Barbara speaks with Elfie, a fellow tongue cancer survivor whose remarkable story is one of resilience and reinvention.

    Elfie opens up about her life-changing journey—from surviving a traumatic accident in her twenties that led to the amputation of her left leg, to facing a tongue cancer diagnosis years later. She shares the emotional and physical toll of treatment, including the loss of taste and speech difficulties, and how she found strength through it all.

    Despite multiple surgeries and setbacks, Elfie’s defiant spirit shines through. Post-recovery, she embraced challenges like rock climbing and axe throwing, redefining what’s possible after cancer. She also discusses her recent contribution to the book Unleashing the Courageous Feminine, a therapeutic milestone and a celebration of her voice. The episode concludes with a heartfelt conversation about the power of support groups, raising awareness, and holding onto hope for life after cancer.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    49 mins
  • Expert Guest: Krishna Suchak

    Expert Guest: Krishna Suchak
    Jun 20 2025

    In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, Barbara interviews Krishna Suchak, a consultant pathologist. Krishna explains her work, describing what a pathologist does, including analyzing tissue and fluid samples to diagnose cancer. She details the workflow from biopsy to diagnosis, the interpretation process, and how pathologists work with multidisciplinary teams. Krishna also discusses the significance of clear margins in pathology reports. Listener questions are addressed on topics such as genetic testing, the risk of biopsies spreading cancer, and the method of interpreting unusual looking cells in lymph nodes. The episode concludes with a focus on the future of cancer diagnosis and the role of primary care education in improving early detection.


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    36 mins
  • Lynsi's Story

    Lynsi's Story
    Jun 13 2025
    In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, Barbara talks with Lynsi from Bedford, UK, about her journey with head and neck cancer. Diagnosed at 31, Lynsi shares her experience through multiple surgeries—including flap failures—and chemo-radiation after a recurrence. She discusses the challenges of moving between NHS trusts, the importance of self-advocacy, and how treatment affected her relationship with food and body image. Lynsi also opens up about the emotional impact of potential fertility loss and her hopes for the future.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Susan's Story

    Susan's Story
    Jun 6 2025
    In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, Barbara speaks with Susan, one of the founding members of the support group for young people with tongue cancer. Susan recounts her journey, which began with a small, painless sore on her tongue and led to a series of misdiagnoses over nine months. Eventually diagnosed with stage four tongue cancer, she underwent intensive treatment—including a hemiglossectomy, neck dissection, chemotherapy, and radiation—all during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Susan opens up about the profound emotional and physical challenges she faced, from severe weight loss and "cancer anorexia" to the psychological toll of the illness. She highlights the critical role of therapy, self-advocacy, and the support she found within the Young Tongues community. Now nearly four years cancer-free, Susan reflects on how the experience reshaped her outlook on life and emotional well-being, and shares her ongoing dedication to supporting others in her role as a trustee of Young Tongues.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr
  • Resilience and Reflection: Barbara & Jamie Reconnect

    Resilience and Reflection: Barbara & Jamie Reconnect
    May 30 2025
    In this heartfelt episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, co-hosts Barbara and Jamie reunite to reflect on both personal and professional milestones. Jamie marks five years since her cancer diagnosis, while Barbara candidly shares her ongoing journey with chronic fatigue syndrome and mental health challenges. The conversation also celebrates key achievements, including Barbara’s recent appearances at major medical conferences and the launch of Unmuted, Young Tongues’ inaugural Annual Impact event. Together, they spotlight persistent issues facing tongue cancer patients - particularly the need for better biopsy pain management - and outline upcoming efforts to gather patient data to drive systemic change. The episode closes with a health update on former guest and friend, Molly, as she navigates increasingly limited treatment options. Barbara and Jamie also announce a short summer break and extend an invitation to potential sponsors looking to support the podcast’s mission.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    49 mins