Young Tongues

Ten years after being diagnosed with stage IV tongue cancer, Roz Salaguit reflects on the journey that changed every part of her life. What began as a tongue ulcer dismissed as "nothing serious" quickly became an aggressive cancer requiring extensive surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Roz shares the terrifying reality of waking up after an unexpected mandible split surgery, learning to speak...

Life after tongue cancer doesn't end when treatment finishes and neither do the challenges. In this honest and wide-ranging conversation, Barbara and Stef reflect on the realities of long-term survivorship that often go unspoken. From heat sensitivity, lymphedema and swallowing difficulties to chronic fatigue, brain fog and the daily balancing act of self-care, they explore what it really means to...

Nine years after her tongue cancer diagnosis, Sinead Keane joins Barbara for an honest conversation about what happens after treatment ends. From months of being told she was "too young and too healthy" to have cancer, through major surgery and radiation, Sinéad shares the realities of diagnosis, recovery, and learning to live in a body that has changed forever. Together, they explore the long-ter...

After a brief podcast hiatus, Barbara, Steph and Jamie reunite to catch up on a busy month filled with advocacy, conferences, research collaborations and growing awareness of tongue cancer around the world. The episode begins with updates from all three hosts, including Steph’s attendance at ASCO, one of the world’s largest oncology conferences, where she represented the patient voice alongside re...

In this deeply reflective and emotional episode of the Young Tongues podcast, Barbara and Steph come together for an honest conversation about grief, recurrence anxiety, survivorship and what it means to keep living fully after a tongue cancer diagnosis. The discussion begins with the recent loss of Naomi — a much-loved long-standing member of the Young Tongues community whose recurrence happened...

In this deeply honest and emotional follow-up conversation, Amelia returns to the Young Tongues podcast to update listeners on what has happened since her first appearance in Season 2. Following her initial tongue cancer diagnosis, surgery and radiotherapy, Amelia shares how she has since faced multiple recurrences in rapid succession. 💬 Need Support? If you’ve been diagnosed with tongue cancer (...

In this first panel episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, Barbara is joined by Rachael and Kaitlyn to explore the emotional reality of diagnosis. From the long wait between biopsy and results to the moment cancer becomes real, their stories reveal how uncertainty, fear, and shock take hold in different ways. Whether delivered in a five-minute phone call or a face-to-face consultation, the way bad...

In this episode, Barbara, Jamie and Stef dive into something that doesn’t get talked about enough: what actually happens after treatment ends. You reach that milestone and everyone around you breathes a sigh of relief. You’re told to get back to normal. Move on. Be grateful. But it’s not that simple. We talk about the reality of life after tongue cancer: the anxiety that lingers between scans, the...

In this episode, we’re joined by Laura (aka Dizz), one of the original members of Young Tongues, a trustee, and someone who has been part of this journey from the very beginning. Laura shares her full story — from the first symptoms that didn’t seem like anything serious, to a devastating diagnosis and being told she may never speak or swallow again. What follows is a journey shaped by second opin...

In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Kevin Harrington, one of the world’s leading experts in head and neck cancer, to break down what’s really changing in tongue cancer treatment, and what it means for patients today. We talk about the rise in younger patients without clear risk factors, why we still don’t fully understand why this is happening , and what that uncertainty means for the futur...

Season 3 is officially here and we’re coming back bigger, louder, and with a brand new co-host. In this episode, we welcome Stef as our third co-host, reflect on how Young Tongues began, and share what’s coming this season — from honest conversations and expert guests to your stories. We also cover the growth of our global community, why fundraising matters, and exciting updates across research, p...

In the final episode of Season 2 of the Young Tongues Podcast , hosts Barbara and Jamie revisit the highlights of the past year. They reflect on the podcast’s accomplishments, sharing their favorite moments, standout guests and the most impactful interviews. The conversation turns personal as they explore childhood memories and cultural roots—Barbara’s in Switzerland and Jamie’s in San Diego. They...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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 sig...

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 relatio...

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 hemigl...

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...

In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast , host Barbara sits down with her friend and fellow Young Tongues original, Molly—an adventurous veterinarian from Kansas. Molly shares her deeply personal journey with tongue cancer, from her initial diagnosis in 2020 to her current experience living with chronic cancer. She opens up about her treatment regimen, emotional challenges, and the crucial ro...

In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, Barbara sits down with Rachel Corby, a fellow tongue cancer survivor, to share her powerful story of diagnosis, treatment, and healing. Rachel opens up about receiving her diagnosis shortly after giving birth. She highlights the challenges of undergoing surgery and radiation while caring for two young children. She candidly discusses the physical and e...

In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, host Barbara interviews Ben, one of the original members of the peer support group. Ben shares his journey from initial diagnosis of tongue cancer to his extensive treatment and the long-term side effects he has endured. He discusses the moment he realized something was wrong, the process of his diagnosis, and the multitude of treatments he underwent,...

In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, Barbara speaks with Jarrod from Melbourne, Australia. Jarrod shares his personal story of being diagnosed with tongue cancer at age 35, the challenges he faced during diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, and how a strong medical background and support from family helped him persevere. He underwent extensive surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, experien...

In this episode of the Young Tongues Podcast, host Barbara interviews Janice Koh, a well-known actress and tongue cancer survivor. Janice shares her personal journey, from her diagnosis in July 2022 and the impact it had on her life and career, to her treatment and recovery process. She highlights the emotional and physical challenges she faced, including multiple surgeries and chemo-radiation, an...