Mouth ulcers, often dismissed as minor and self-resolving, can sometimes signal serious underlying health conditions.

This was the case for Margot Blair, 62, from Dumfries, whose persistent mouth sores first appeared in 2022 and lingered for months, then years.

Despite a healthy lifestyle — non-smoker, regular exerciser, and minimal alcohol intake — Magrot Blair initially attributed her ulcers to bad luck, unaware that a more serious condition was developing.

From Ulcers to Tongue Cancer

By May 2025, Magrot Blair’s symptoms intensified dramatically.

New ulcers appeared, her tongue became severely swollen, and pain radiated from her jaw through her cheeks and up her head. Her tongue felt unnaturally enlarged, prompting a dental visit.

After a series of MRI scans, CT scans, and biopsies at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, the devastating diagnosis was confirmed: squamous cell carcinoma (tongue cancer).

Further testing revealed that the cancer had spread, necessitating two rounds of tongue surgery and removal of cancerous lymph nodes in her neck.

She then underwent six weeks of intensive, targeted radiotherapy at the Beatson in Glasgow, resulting in lasting side effects, including:

• A five-inch scar on her neck

• Persistent speech difficulties, sometimes mistaken for deafness

• A permanently altered sense of taste, where chocolate tastes vile and ice cream like butter

• 10kg weight loss due to pain and swallowing difficulties

Four weeks post-radiotherapy, Magrot Blair reports her mouth is approximately 70%recovered, though her sense of taste is only 50% restored, and she remains uncertain whether her sweet taste will ever return.

Raising Awareness for Oral Cancer

Magrot Blair is now focused on raising awareness about subtle signs of mouth cancer, particularly ulcers lasting longer than two weeks.

She emphasizes that most people are unaware that persistent ulcers can indicate serious conditions, as oral cancer is rarely discussed publicly.

According to the NHS, mouth cancer can affect any part of the mouth — gums, tongue, inside the cheeks, or lips.

While anyone can develop oral cancer, risk increases with age, with most diagnoses occurring between 66 and 70 years old.

Key risk factors include:

• Smoking

• Heavy alcohol consumption

• Exposure to sunbeds

• Weakened immune system

Important symptoms to watch for:

• Mouth ulcers that persist for more than three weeks

• Unexplained weight loss

• Croaky or hoarse voice

The NHS emphasizes the importance of regular dental check-ups and advises that any persistent ulcers or changes in the mouth lasting over two weeks should never be ignored.