
Emma Shanks studies cancer at our Beatson Institute in Glasgow.
But 13 years ago, she got an unexpected and unwelcome insight into the disease: she was diagnosed with oral cancer, not once but four times in succession.
Happily, she’s now cancer-free and living life to the full, and says her experience of cancer has given her a new motivation in her work.
Hers is just one of the stories featured in our Annual Review, highlighting the progress we’re making and our aims for the future.
‘Awareness can go a long way’
I was 24 and studying molecular biology when I noticed an ulcer on the side of my tongue. It was still there a few months later and wasn’t healing – in fact it kind of got worse. And it started to hurt all the time because it would rub on my teeth.
A little later I moved to Dundee to start my PhD in molecular biology. I still had the ulcer but I didn’t think anything of it other than it was so sore all the time. Once I got settled in Dundee I registered with a dentist and that’s when things changed. The dentist I saw was aware of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer so when he saw my ulcer and I told him how long I’d had it for he referred me to the dental hospital to have it looked at.
At the dental hospital the doctors took biopsies from the area around the ulcer. The results showed I had oral cancer.
I felt numb when they told me – I couldn’t deal with the enormity of it all.
The doctors told me it was unusual for someone of my age to have oral cancer, but because it had been caught early the outlook was good. I had surgery to remove about a third of my tongue to clear the area of cancer which was difficult.
At the time I was in the second year of my PhD so my life pretty much revolved around the lab, studying and hanging out with friends. I couldn’t wait to get back to it after my surgery.

Emma with her two children, Jamie and Isobel
‘It felt like I’d been kicked in the stomach’
Seven years later I noticed some white spots on my tongue. I had another biopsy. The results confirmed my worst fears – my cancer had come back. It was a massive blow and was really hard to be back in that head space again. All I could remember was how incredibly painful it had all been the first time round
By this time I was with David – he was such an immense support to me and stayed by my side the whole time. I had more surgery to remove more of my tongue and thankfully it was a success.
Life carried on as normal for the next two years. I was in good health and David and I had our first child – a little boy called Jamie.
But then the cancer came back for a third time.
This time round, Jamie was a whole new reason to survive – I had to get through this for him. I had a third surgery to remove the cancer. It was extremely tough, but I got through it. I had to for my son.
‘It was unbearable to think about’
A year later things were looking up again. I was enjoying working in a lab as a cancer researcher and had given birth to my second child, a little girl called Isobel. We were a happy family of four.
But the bubble burst again. I was diagnosed with oral cancer for a fourth time. It was two weeks after I’d given birth to Isobel.
After I got the diagnosis I looked at my daughter and thought, “If I die, she’ll have no memory of me”. It was unbearable. I recorded my voice for her to listen to while I was in hospital, just talking to her and singing her silly songs.
I looked at my daughter and thought, ‘If I die, she’ll have no memory of me’
But I couldn’t bring myself to record any goodbyes. The thought of it was heartbreaking.
This time the treatment was more complex and even more painful. I had an eight-hour operation to remove a large section of my tongue, which was then replaced with a graft from my forearm. I needed a tube in my neck so I could breathe and another tube to eat.
The treatment was awful. The whole thing was so painful and really unpleasant – I even had to learn how to talk again.
This time was the hardest, and not just because of the treatment.
I couldn’t see my son Jamie the whole time I was in hospital – he was nearly two years old so it would have been too hard for him to see me like that. Thankfully, I did get to see Isobel – she was too young to fully understand what was happening. Seeing her really got me back on my feet.
I wanted to spend more time with them, have more time as a family. I had to get better for them – and for myself.
My parents were amazing each time I was diagnosed, but particularly the fourth time. They moved in to the family home for a couple of months to help with David and the kids and everything – they were an invaluable support.
When I left the hospital after my reconstruction operation – my fifth in total – I was so emotional. It felt like I’d been released from jail. I took everything in, from the blue sky to the green grass and cuddled the kids. I’m grateful that I can enjoy the simple things in life now, like seeing Jamie and Isobel feed the animals on our farm.
It’s amazing what doctors can do and how far we’ve come in treating cancer. And despite how hard my treatment was, I feel lucky to be alive.
‘Research saved me’
I’ve been told there is a less than three per cent chance of the cancer returning, so I’m hopeful I’ve beaten the disease. I may have had cancer four times, but it won’t define me.
One of the good things to come out of this whole thing is that I’m now more confident as a person. Previously I used to get nervous before giving a presentation, but now I remind myself that I didn’t go through all that treatment just to stand up and be scared of a little talk.
And I’m actively trying to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer, and give people an idea of what it’s like to go through cancer by giving presentations to students and GPs about my experience.
Working in cancer research is a really fulfilling career. And because someone else’s research saved me, I want to help save others. Having cancer makes my work even more meaningful and I’m even more motivated to find better, smarter ways of treating cancer now.
My goal is to see something we find at the Beatson used to treat oral cancer patients.
Emma
Tags
Comments
Nan Wallace September 17, 2015
My name is Nan not Man. Poor typing & wrong specs!!!
Nan xxx
Man Wallace September 17, 2015
Brave lady. All the very best in your future..
From an other cancer survivor.
Man xxx
Carol September 6, 2015
I cannot imagine how difficult it has been to face cancer 4 times. I am so pleased you are a survivor and can share precious times with your family and work to research treatments to help other sufferers.
Due to people like yourself I have been cancer free for several years and cannot ever express how grateful I am to be able to live a life after several other family members have not been so lucky. All the best Emma. X
Ann McCulloch September 1, 2015
your story is so like my mums her fight started in 1983 she endured many years of surgery to her mouth and face, some of the operations she had had never been done before. I would like to think that what she went through has helped people today through research and education of doctors. All the best to you Emma
Steve August 31, 2015
You’re an inspiration and a reminder to all of to enjoy the simple things in life x
Amanda Williams August 29, 2015
Hi Emma,so young but so positive,stay strong….I’m now 61 & had both boobies removed & reconstructed 4 years ago,??
Joan August 28, 2015
Hi Emma, thank you for sharing your very emotional story……I lost my husband of 40 years to cancer 9 years ago…..Keep healthy and happy, enjoy life to the full with you family.
Victoria August 27, 2015
I’m a university student studying cancer biology and microbiology, stories like this help to inspire me in my course
David August 27, 2015
Great to know how important research is. Keep fund raising folks.
Nic August 27, 2015
an excellent thought provoking story. i am currently being treated for thyroid cancer and stories such as this give me great hope!
Martine August 27, 2015
Hi Emma
Thank you for sharing your story and well done. I wish you all the best in everything you do. Live long and be happy.
Alan Brown. August 27, 2015
Congratulations to you Emma. You deserve success. I lost a loving wife to cancer in 2010. I find it difficult to live without her. Also I find it difficult to live alone, even as a pensioner. You are providing a service to many persons. All the best to you, and I trust that you have a long and happy life.
Lesley Bigmore August 27, 2015
Hi Emma
Thank you so much for sharing your blog you have been through so much for someone so young. Its people like yourself that I admire so much. I am sure one day we will find a cure for this dreadful disease. Love to you and your family xx
Jenny August 27, 2015
Emma you are an incredible lady, thank you for,sharing your story, you bring hope to everyone through your determination. Enjoy every day you deserve it. I have many friends who have survived cancer and unfortunately some who have not, but through research we are beating this disease.
Bijaya Luxmi Rai August 27, 2015
This story is a big inspiration to those with oral cancer. I was diagnosed oral cancer 4 years ago and I had big surgery done in Bloomfield hospital with skin graft in my tongue and mandible replacement. I have to learn to speak as well. Now I feel more better and cancer free. Hope it does not come back again. Thanks to my doctors and medical team who made my surgery successful. Thanks to God.
Sarah Hopkins August 27, 2015
What an amazing lady! I am totally moved by her determination and strength to go through that. I can’t imagine that I would be so strong.
Jane August 26, 2015
What an amazing account. I’m so pleased for you that you are well again and back with your family once more.
Audrey August 26, 2015
I can only echo all the warmth and loving comments which have been sent to Emma. She is a tremendous encouragement to all who have heard her story. Her courage is an example to everyone.
Carmina August 26, 2015
Well done Emma , thanks for sharing your story!!! I am glad that u have made it through….
Keith Tanner August 26, 2015
i am heartened by and admire Emma and am so delighted that she has received the necessary treatments. How I wish that the same treatments and care applied across Scotland for other cancers. I am Northern Patient Representative for the OcuMel UK eye cancer charity and until recently, in the absence of any volunteers, I covered Scotland too. I became aware that there is no coverage within the Scottish NHS for the assessment or treatment of eye cancer sufferers who succumb to mets. Mets arising from Ocular Melanoma are incurable and 52% of sufferers will die within 5yrs of diagnosis. It is particularly concerning that the only treatment centre at Gartnavel refuses to refer its patients for essential, potentially life extending MRI scans yet one of the doctors offered to scan one patient at his private clinic. The incidence of Ocular Melanoma worldwide is 6 persons per million, Scotland has too few patients for its doctors to have the necessary experience and due to low patient numbers does not attract highly qualified and specialised doctors. Separation of the Scottish NHS from England has left it unable/unwilling to fund treatment outside the country. Consequently, sufferers of OM are simply left to die an untimely death.
Lynn campion August 26, 2015
What a brave lady. Our families are so important to our survival. I will certainly do as much as I can to help researchers find the way to beat cancer.
raymond v,e coe August 26, 2015
i started to donate after i lost my lovely sister,Maria,She had an operation and it became infected ,turned to Cancer which took her from us at the age of 43 yrs.i have donated money for over 15 yrs ,hopeing that one day it would help to beat this awful thing,im sorry to emotional to carry on conversation,but i would rather starve than stop giving to this charity,Wish you better Emma and soon ,
Rosemary Mitchell August 26, 2015
Amazing story. Well done. I can relate to the simple natural things in life like blue sky too and I am 27yrs down the line but a different case scenario. I was unable to walk for cancer research this year but will be next year.
Shirley Keay August 26, 2015
I can understand how you were motivated to beat cancer for the sake of your beautiful children – they are blessed to have such a courageous and inspirational mum! And my heart goes out to your amazing husband! I pray you’ll all have many, many happy years ahead together with all your fantastic family. God bless.
Rhian Lloyd-Thomas October 13, 2015
Good to read your story; I’ve now fought off an aggressive breast cancer three times in 3 years, and know it won’t stay away. Like you, my family gives me good reason to keep on fighting. I hope you remain cancer free!