I was in agony with toothache for weeks and went to my dentist – then I was told it was LUNG cancer
But when the pain became worse and prompted an X-ray, the mum-of-three received the shocking news she had stage three lung cancer.
3
3
Back in 2023, the 38-year-old from Huddersfield, West Yorks. went to two different dentists complaining of severe toothache only to be told it was nothing to worry about due to the condition of her teeth.
It was only after the pain became too much that she finally visited A&E where she got an X-ray and was given morphine for the pain.
After being kept in for 16 days, the former smoker was given the shocking news that she had a rare form of stage 3 'ALK positive' lung cancer.
Stage 3 ALK-positive lung cancer means the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or chest structures and has a ALK mutation - a crucial piece of information for doctors as it guides treatment decisions.
There's a variable outlook for patients with survival rates generally ranging from 13 per cent to 36 per cent for five years.
Speaking over messenger due to her condition, mum of three Keshia said: "I was in agony for weeks with toothache, I went to the dentist - I paid twice for a private dentist - and I was told there was nothing wrong.
"I got a pain in my chest, had an X-ray, and I was told I have pneumonia at first. Then, 16 days later was told I have cancer."
Keshia underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as hammer knife surgery.
After being told the cancer had gone in January 2024, the following April Keisha received the unfortunate news the cancer had come back, now stage four, and had spread to her lungs, liver, and brain.
Her cousin Kirsty Watson, 44, who spoke on Keshia's behalf due to the difficulties speaking caused by her condition, said: "Physically, she's struggling to get around the house - your breathing impacts everything, whether you can get up and make a cup of tea, what kind of quality time you have with your children.
A fit and active 22-year-old put back pain and persistent tiredness down to starting a new office job - but they were the first signs of a killer cancer
"It's impacting everything, really. Her memory has been impacted as well, because of the brain cancer.
"She's forgetting quite a lot of things, general day-to-day things, which has an impact on the children as well, as they can see that.
"It's like she's deteriorated rapidly in front of her children's eyes."
Now, Keshia and her family are hoping to raise £40,000 to have advanced treatment - trans-arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) and dendritic cell therapy - with the NHS telling her they'll offer no more treatment if her latest round of chemo doesn't work.
According to Cancer Research UK, TACE is a form of chemotherapy injected directly in to the blood vessel which feeds a tumour to give a stronger dose of the drug, followed by a gel or tiny beads to block the blood supply.
The charity says dendritic cell vaccines are used to help the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.
NHS England and the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust have been contacted for comment.
To donate to the family's GoFundMe, click here.
Symptoms of lung cancer
Toothache isn't a common direct symptom of lung cancer, but it can be related to the disease through referred pain.
The vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to various organs including the heart and lungs, means pain originating in the chest area can be felt in the jaw and teeth.
There are usually no signs or symptoms of lung cancer in the early stages.
Symptoms develop as the condition progresses.
The NHS says the main symptoms include:
a cough that does not go away after three weeks
a long-standing cough that gets worse
chest infections that keep coming back
coughing up blood
an ache or pain when breathing or coughing
persistent breathlessness
persistent tiredness or lack of energy
loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
Less common symptoms of lung cancer include:
changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger (this is known as finger clubbing)
difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or pain when swallowing
wheezing
a hoarse voice
swelling of your face or neck
persistent chest or shoulder pain
If you experience any of these symptoms, see a GP.
What causes lung cancer?
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is the most significant risk factor, accounting for the majority of lung cancer cases.
Tobacco smoke contains numerous toxic and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances.
The more you smoke, the higher the risk.
Even occasional or light smoking can increase the risk.
Exposure to secondhand smoke also poses a risk.
Other tobacco products like cigars and pipes also increase risk.
Environmental factors
Radon: This radioactive gas, often found in homes, is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Asbestos: Exposure to asbestos, a mineral fibre used in building materials, significantly increases lung cancer risk.
Air pollution: Both outdoor and indoor air pollution, including particulate matter, are linked to lung cancer.
Workplace hazards: Exposure to certain chemicals and substances in some workplaces, like silica and diesel exhaust, can increase the risk.
Other risk factors:
Age: The risk of lung cancer increases with age.
Family history: Having a family history of lung cancer can increase your risk.
Previous lung conditions: Certain lung conditions like COPD, pneumonia, and tuberculosis can increase susceptibility to lung cancer.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy to the chest for other cancers can also increase the risk.
3
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
42 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘Social apnoea': sleep disorder could worsen at weekends, research suggests
Letting your hair down at the weekend might be a well-known recipe for a hangover, but researchers say it might also increase the severity of a common sleep disorder. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) involves complete pauses in breathing or partial reductions in airflow that arise because muscles in the back of the throat relax, causing the airways to narrow or close. It is more common in groups such as older people and people who are overweight or obese. Now researchers have found the severity of the condition increases at the weekend. The study cannot prove the cause, but suggests it could be down to lifestyle factors such an increase in drinking and smoking, or changes in the type or patterns of sleep – all of which can increase the risk of the condition. As a result, they have called the phenomenon 'social apnoea'. 'Obviously, people tend to drink more on the weekend. They tend to smoke more on the weekend if they are prone to smoking,' said Prof Danny Eckert, a co-author of the research at Flinders University in Australia, adding that as well as a possible effect from irregular sleep patterns, it might also be that people were less likely to use devices such as continuous positive airway pressure (Cpap) machines to manage the condition at the weekend. The researchers say regardless of the underlying cause, the results matter given the health and safety implications of OSA. It is known to raise the risk of conditions including stroke, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, and can also affect driving safety as a result of sleepiness, have an impact on relationships, and reduce quality of life. Writing in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Eckert and colleagues report how they analysed de-identified data from 70,052 people – the majority of whom were middle-aged, male, and overweight – who used a commercially available under-mattress sleep sensor that can track heart rate, snoring and sleep apnoea. All participants had four or more sleep recordings a week, at least 28 sleep apnoea measurements a year, and five or more breathing disruptions an hour during sleep, on average, a year. The team found the odds of moderate to severe sleep apnoea, meaning 15 or more breathing interruptions an hour, were 18% higher on Saturdays compared with Wednesdays, and the effect was more pronounced in men and people under the age of 60. They also found weekend catch-up sleep of 45 minutes or more, compared with less than six minutes, and social jetlag – in other words, a clock-shift in sleep patterns – of 60 minutes or more, compared with less than 18 minutes, was associated with 47% and 38% greater odds of having moderate to severe OSA respectively. Dr Sriram Iyer, an NHS respiratory and sleep consultant, who was not involved in the work, said the study highlighted the night-to-night variability in OSA symptoms, and the team's assumptions about the cause of the weekend uptick were 'perfectly reasonable'. Ryan Chin Taw Cheong, a consultant ENT and sleep surgeon at the Cleveland clinic, London, praised the size of the study, saying it was the first of its kind to look at variability in the severity of the condition throughout the week. While he noted that study did not include data on participants' lifestyles, meaning it could not prove the cause of the increased severity of OSA at the weekends, he said factors such as smoking and drinking were known to exacerbate symptoms, and addressing such issues – alongside diet and weight – should be one of the first steps taken to tackle the condition. 'With the best intentions, we can try to treat you medically. But if you're consuming lots of alcohol or smoking heavily, whatever we're doing as medical professionals will be just a drop in the ocean,' Cheong said.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
CPR theory test changes 'mean so much' to dad after daughter's death
A dad has said it became his "mission" to increase awareness about CPR and how to use a defibrillator after his daughter's Len Noakes, chair of NHS group Save a Life Cymru, has spearheaded the push for changes to be made to driving theory tests which will result in a new set of first aid questions being added early next daughter Claire Noakes tragically died at the age of 25 from complications following a cardiac arrest in Noakes said he was left in tears after the theory test changes, hailing it as a "significant step" towards increasing survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Wales, which are currently less than 5%. Speaking previously to NHS Wales, Prof Noakes said he received a phone from his daughter's friend saying she had collapsed."By the time we got there, which is only five minutes away, the paramedics were there already working on Claire," he Noakes told Radio Wales Drive he remembered asking if his daughter was breathing when he received the phone person said she was breathing but "it was funny", the medical director at Cardiff City FC said she was showing signs of agonal breathing, or sudden, irregular gasps of breath, which is closely associated with a cardiac arrest. "But you wouldn't expect someone who isn't aware of cardiac arrests to know that."Prof Noakes said he hoped young drivers having the knowledge and ability to identify a cardiac arrest will help people in similar situations."They can get on and dial 999. They will tell you how to start CPR and where the nearest defibrillator is," he Noakes' daughter spent the next nine months unresponsive before she died."You can't stop this happening. But you can do your best to make sure other families don't have to go through this," he said. Prof Noakes said he looked to other European countries for inspiration when he was appointed as the chair of Save a Life Cymru, which was established in 2019 by the Welsh government to make sure people know what to do if an out of hospital cardiac arrest said: "Some have the CPR in the driving test. Combining this with education has led to a significant rise in the survival rate."Prof Noakes described Wales' survival rate as "shocking" but said he hoped these changes will increase the said it "meant so much" to know that questions are being added to the driving theory test early next since they are aimed at new drivers, what advice does he have for people who have already passed their theory test?"Go online. There are a number of online tutorials you can look at," he said."If you want to physically learn how to do it there are a number of organisations offering training such as the St John's Ambulance service."We can all give it our best shot to help someone having a cardiac arrest."
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Couple expecting identical twin girls face heartbreaking dilemma that could see them save one baby to lose the other
When Jack Alexander and his partner went for their early 16-week baby scan, they were delighted to discover they were expecting identical twin girls. But their happiness quickly turned to 'devastation' as they were told their babies were suffering from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) - a rare condition which sees one fetus starved of blood and fluid. The couple were soon faced with a heartbreaking dilemma: let one twin die to save the other - or undertake risky laser surgery for a chance at saving both. Determined to fight for both girls, the couple were referred to St George's Hospital in London for specialist treatment - a six-hour round trip from their home in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, which they could be required to make every week. Jack, who has been forced to launch a GoFundMe, told the Daily Mail: 'It's devastating knowing that it could be 50/50. I'm just trying to be positive for my partner as she is very lost at the moment. 'They said obviously if we don't have it done, there is a risk that we could lose one. 'But obviously it does carry risks to it as well.' Jack, a chef, explained 'Twin One' is currently one week behind 'Twin Two' in their development, with midwives unable to see her bladder. 'It was a big shocker for us. We went for our 12-week scan and we didn't know we were having twins, and [the midwife] said we've got identical twins in there,' he said. 'This made us emotional anyway, knowing this was a happy thing. We went for a private scan two days before our 16-week one, just for an early gender reveal, and she said Twin Two has got more fluid in their sack than Twin One. 'She said this could be a problem. 'We hung around, and two days later we went for our 16-week scan at Bournemouth hospital, and they said that they can't see the bladder of Twin One.' The couple, who have three children between them from previous relationships, said they are willing to take the risks that come with laser treatment for a fighting chance of saving both girls. However, this means leaving behind their children - aged six, 10 and 13, for weekly visits to London that will be costly due to travel and hotel stays. 'We have to travel up to London by car. Without traffic it's just over three hours. I think we'll have to do this every week near enough. They've classed her as high risk, so they're doing weekly checks all the time as well,' Jack said. 'We have to travel all the way up, and if she does have this laser treatment, she's going to have to stay up there for a few days, recover, and see how she is.' He added: 'You've got to be positive through this, otherwise you're going to put yourself down. It is heartbreaking, but I need to be strong for my Mrs as well.' The couple have launched a GoFundMe in a desperate bid to raise the funds they will need to travel to London. TTTS is a rare but life-threatening condition that affects 10 to 15 per cent of identical twins that share a placenta (monochorionic twins) This year, former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson revealed she had been diagnosed with pre-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, meaning one or both babies could have died. She had to undergo an emergency procedure in March after suffering complications, and was advised to remain in hospital until she was at least 32 weeks into her pregnancy. In May, she confirmed both girls were safe and well - three days after giving birth prematurely. Asma Khalil, Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine at St George's Hospital, University of London, recommended that families facing a similar situation to Jesy and her partner contact the charity, Twins Trust, for resources and support. She said: 'TTTS is a rare but life-threatening condition that affects 10 to 15 per cent of identical twins that share a placenta (monochorionic twins). 'If left untreated, you can lose one or both babies in up to 80% of the cases. Laser surgery is the recommended treatment. In 85 per cent of these pregnancies, at least one baby survives and in up to 70 per cent of cases both babies survive. 'The laser surgery is usually performed under local anaesthesia and it usually lasts for less than 30 minutes. A fetoscope (thin camera) is inserted into the womb via a small incision. Abnormal vascular connections in the placenta are sealed using the laser. 'The laser surgery is not a risk-free procedure. It can trigger early birth or a miscarriage. The pregnancy still needs close monitoring. 'Parents could lose one or both babies. As this is a very stressful time for the family, the parents often need emotional support.' If you would like to help Jack and his partner, visit their GoFundMe. WHAT IS TWIN-TWIN TRANSFUSION SYNDROME? Twin-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can occur in identical pregnancies when twins share a placenta. Abnormal blood vessel connections form in the placenta and prevent blood from flowing evenly between the babies. One twin then becomes dehydrated, which affects its growth. The other develops high blood pressure and produces too much urine. This leads to an enlarged bladder and excessive amounts of amniotic fluid, which can put a strain on the twin's heart, leading to heart failure. Without treatment, TTTS can be fatal for both twins. The condition occurs in about around 15 per cent of identical twins who share a placenta, according to the charity Twins Trust. Around 300 twins die from the condition every year in the UK, while 6,000 babies are affected annually in the US. Draining excess amniotic fluid can help to improve blood flow. If this is not enough, laser surgery is used to seal shut abnormal blood vessels and permanently disconnect them. The surgeon then drains excess fluid. Even when treated successfully, most TTTS babies are born premature. However, the majority go on to have long, healthy lives.
