Jack Wild

[Guest guest]

'My lifestyle caused my mouth cancer'

 

The only symptom Jack had was earache

One-time child star Jack Wild, 53, communicates to others through his

wife Claire since he lost his voice three years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The seasoned actor had to have his voice box - the larynx - and

tongue removed because he developed mouth cancer, which could not be

beaten with radiotherapy alone.

 

It was a huge blow to Jack, who was nominated for an Oscar at the age

of 16 for his famous performance as the Artful Dodger in the 1968

movie version of Oliver!

 

But he is grateful that the cancer has not returned a second time and

says it is vital that other people recognise the signs and symptoms

of this increasingly common cancer.

 

My lifestyle had made me a walking time bomb.

 

Jack Wild

 

Currently, nearly 4,500 people have mouth cancer in the UK.

 

Like Jack, many develop it because of a lifestyle of heavy drinking

and smoking.

 

Jack said: " Until I was diagnosed with mouth cancer, I'd never heard

of it.

 

" What I learned very quickly was that my lifestyle had made me a

walking time bomb.

 

" I was a heavy smoker and an even heavier drinker and apparently

together they are a deadly mixture. "

 

Warning signs

 

The only warning Jack had that something might be wrong was a pain in

the ear that would not go away.

 

He put it down to his busy work schedule and his frequent flights to

and from the US.

 

His wife Claire recalled: " Jack was taking about £20 worth of pain

killers each week.

 

This carried on for some time, but he saw his GP and eventually it

was discovered that his pain was down to a tumour at the base of his

tongue. "

 

Jack had radiotherapy, but the cancer returned two years later and

then his only choice was to have surgery to remove his tongue and

larynx.

 

Mouth cancer warning signs

See a doctor or dentist if any of these last for more than three

weeks:

an ulcer or sore in your mouth

a red or white patch in your mouth

an unexplained pain in your mouth or ear

an unexplained lump in your neck

A sore or painful throat

A croaky voice or difficulty swallowing

 

Thankfully, the surgery worked and the cancer has not returned. But

it does now mean that Jack cannot speak, drink or eat.

 

He has to have all of his meals and nutrients delivered in a liquid

via a tube that goes straight into his stomach.

 

" You just have to deal with it, " said Jack. " Fortuitously, I have

carried on working. "

 

He has continued to take on some acting roles - most recently in the

movie Moussaka & Chips - and is currently writing his autobiography.

 

Jack wants other people who may be at risk of mouth cancer to seek

help early so they do not have to go through the same treatment he

has had to.

 

Mouth cancer is easier to treat if caught early and the chances of

survival are greatly improved. Also, up to 75% of cases could be

avoided by stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake. "

 

Jack said: " I would urge anyone who has the symptoms to get them

checked out immediately. "